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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. Why does Maturin nearly go unconscious several times while traveling?

2. What does Castro declare as to his intentions concerning the rebellion?

3. To whom does Maturin write about his plans for his mission?

4. Who will be out of town during the proposed uprising?

5. What do Maturin and Gayongos discuss?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does Maturin react physically and intellectually to the mountains?

5. Who are two of the main figures in the planned rebellion and how do they stand on the issue?

6. What is the result of Martin's self-medication?

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

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

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

10. What does Aubrey attempt to do to correct what he found out about Dutourd?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Maturin acts as a covert agent for the Crown and attempts a covert operation in Peru.

1. What sort of covert operations does Maturin undertake? How similar do you think his covert operations are to that of an organization such as the CIA of today?

2. How is Maturin's role as a covert agent play a part in Peru's history?

3. Do you see any conflict of interests between being a doctor and also a covert operator? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Martin has abused himself both physically and mentally because of feeling guilty about whatever kind of relationship he had with Clarissa. Maturin confides to Diana that he suspects Martin had some type of sexual relationship with Clarissa and is now suffering a moral conundrum about being a married Christian reverend on the one hand and a lustful adulterer on the other.

1. Discuss some ways in which Martin might have been able to deal with his guilt besides causing himself permanent physical problems. Use examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

2. Religious beliefs are strong influences on many people. Beliefs can have both negative and positive effects on a person's life. Discuss the ways in which Martin's religion has both positive and negative effects on his life.

3. Maturin watches the behavior and emotional trauma that Martin has been experiencing. As a friend, what do you think are some of the ways in which Maturin was loving in his behavior with Martin and some of the ways in which Maturin was not loving with his friend.

Essay Topic 3

Patrick O'Brian has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think The Wine-dark Sea qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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