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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 happens to Surprise and Franklin as they search for their next prize ship?

2. Why is Castro angry about the meeting?

3. What does Aubrey decide to do from the Franklin?

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

5. Where has Maturin gone?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Aubrey fool the whaler?

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

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

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

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

6. What shape is Maturin in after the storm and how does he make it out of the mountains?

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

8. What side trip do Maturin and Eduardo take and what happens after they leave there?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Captain Jack Aubrey is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in The Wine-dark Sea and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed? Which is more interesting?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Aubrey who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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