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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 is one of the possibly permanent problems Martin has physically?
2. Why has Aubrey arrived?
3. How does Maturin travel for three days?
4. What does Maturin's group detour to see?
5. What is Maturin doing in the Andes?
Short Essay Questions
1. What does Sam Panda have to say when he comes aboard the Surprise?
2. What happens when Surprise reaches port at Callao? What does Maturin do?
3. What shape is Maturin in after the storm and how does he make it out of the mountains?
4. What is the result of Martin's self-medication?
5. Describe Eduardo and what kind of relationship do he and Maturin develop?
6. With whom does Maturin meet and why?
7. How does Aubrey fool the whaler?
8. Who is Edward Shelton and why is he aboard the American whaler?
9. What does Aubrey hope to find as they sail to Peru and how does he find it?
10. Where does Maturin go when he leaves Callao the first time and who does he meet? Why is he going there?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
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?
Essay Topic 2
The Wine-dark Sea, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note in that the Surprise was saved by an English battleship.
1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?
2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Wine-dark Sea and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Wine-dark Sea is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.
3. State what you think are three characteristics of a successful novel and whether or not The Wine-dark Sea in your opinion is a successful novel.
Essay Topic 3
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).
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This section contains 1,012 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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