View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How long has Aubrey been out on the open waters in a small boat?

2. What does Pullings do after readying Surprise?

3. What does Aubrey catch sight of while looking for a prize?

4. Who is Maturin's guide?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Aubrey fool the whaler?

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

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

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

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

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

7. Describe Eduardo and what kind of relationship do he and Maturin develop?

8. What happens to Aubrey as they take the French ship?

9. What does Aubrey hope to find as they sail to Peru and how does he find it?

10. With whom does Maturin meet and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Wine-dark Sea. Does the setting seem to be the best one for the plot? Can you think of a better setting? Why or why not?

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Wine-dark Sea. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of The Wine-dark Sea. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of literary elements that occur in many works of fiction. Irony is a means of increasing both the humor and the complexity of a story. O'Brien often includes irony in his Aubrey/Maturin series. Point of view is the way the story is narrated; all works of fiction have a point of view. Conflict is almost always present in a work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary terms irony, point of view and conflict.

2. Identify two instances of irony in The Wine-dark Sea, offering examples from the text.

3. Identify the point of view of the novel and discuss why you think O'Brien chooses to use that particular point of view. Does the point of view seem to be the best one for The Wine-dark Sea? Why or why not.

4. Identfiy two major conflicts in The Wine-dark Sea. Are the conflicts completely resolved by the end of The Wine-dark Sea? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 996 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample