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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What helps Maturin's physical problems?

2. What does Maturin's group detour to see?

3. What happens to Martin when the Surprise comes into port?

4. What kind of news does the Englishman give Aubrey?

5. What does Eduardo do for a living?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Aubrey go out to sea in Franklin, what does he encounter and what does he discover?

2. Who does Maturin write about his mission and what does he tell him?

3. What does Sam Panda have to say when he comes aboard the Surprise?

4. What happens when Surprise reaches port at Callao? What does Maturin do?

5. What happens to Martin as Surprise is pursuing the French ship and what does Maturin do with his assistant?

6. What does Pullings see and hear as he puts out to sea in Surprise?

7. Where has Maturin been sent after the collapse of the rebellion?

8. What contact of Maturin's is most valuable and why?

9. What is done at the meeting for the rebellion?

10. Who is Edward Shelton and why is he aboard the American whaler?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In addition to understanding the war in which O'Brian's novels are set, it is quite helpful to have a basic understanding of nautical terminology and the types of ships and their armaments that were used during the early 1800s. Discuss the following:

1. Define ten of the most commonly-used shipboard terms and discuss how those terms are used in The Wine-dark Sea.

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the ships used in the early 1800s?

3. How is the British navy organized during this period (early 1800s) and how different do you think it is organized today (including how one rises in rank).

Essay Topic 2

Sailors are notoriously superstitious. Even Aubrey, though very bright in many ways, is somewhat superstitious, a trait common to many sailors. Discuss the following:

1. What is superstition? Can you name a few common superstitions? Do any of them seem to have any validity in logic?

2. Why do you think sailors have the reputation for being superstitious? Do you think it is true? What superstitions are mentioned in The Wine-dark Sea?

3. What are some of the superstitions you are familiar with that sailors seem to believe? Do you believe any of them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Much attention is given to the treatment of both wounds and illnesses by Maturin. Maturin seems far more advanced than the typical doctor of that era. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the medical remedies Maturin uses in The Wine-dark Sea to that which would be done in our modern world.

2. Many wars are partially, if not completely, determined by factors other than the actual fighting. One of those factors is disease. Research and discuss how epidemics/pandemics have influenced the outcome of three different wars throughout history.

3. Discuss some of the medical remedies Maturin performs/uses that were probably not used in that era. Did Aubrey's surviving of the head wound and stabbing to his thigh seem plausible? What about Martin treating himself when he thought he had syphilis?

(see the answer keys)

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