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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. How does Aubrey and the other men look?

2. What helps Maturin's physical problems?

3. What does Maturin request of Aubrey in port?

4. How does Maturin travel for three days?

5. Who does Gayongos say is spreading information about Maturin?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Shelton volunteer for and what does he tell Aubrey?

3. Where does Maturin go when he leaves Callao the first time and who does he meet? Why is he going there?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Wine-dark Sea is one book in a series of novels involving Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Discuss the following.

1. What are a couple advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What are a couple disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier, more difficult, or about the same to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of instances of foreshadowing in The Wine-dark Sea. Many of these instances, readers will recognize as probable foreshadowing; others, the readers may not be aware until the event which is foreshadowed occurs. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term foreshadow. Why do you think authors foreshadow a future event? What might be a reader's reaction to a sudden tragic or wonderful event if there were no hints whatsoever that it might occur?

2. Find four events that are foreshadowed in and pair up the foreshadowing text with the event. Analyze each event to include the following: What is foreshadowed? Is the method O'Brian uses to foreshadow effective? Did you guess when a particular text was foreshadowing a future event? Did you guess what the event is?

3. Along with foreshadowing, symbolism usually plays a role in most works of fiction? How extensive is the use of symbolism in The Wine-dark Sea? Is there enough symbolism to add depth to the writing? Interest to the writing? Explain your statements with examples.

Essay Topic 3

During this era when the book takes place, if a vessel under the command of a naval officer captures another vessel from a country with whom they are warring or captures a pirate vessel, etc...the crew of the victorious vessel shares in the goods, money and value of the vessel. This was the purpose for the Surprise having a letter of marque. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the British had such a policy in place then?

2. What are the possible abuses that can arise from such a policy?

3. Why do you think this policy is eventually abandoned?

(see the answer keys)

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