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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 does Aubrey want for Honey and Maitland?

2. Who is Major Pollock?

3. What is aboard the Surprise specifically for Maturin?

4. What does Wray agree to in order to cancel his debt?

5. What concerns Aubrey the most about failing to gain the treasure?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the Egyptian Wind affect sailing?

2. How does Maturin help to protect Mrs. Fielding and pull off and intelligence coup?

3. Who are Mr. Honey and Mr. Maitland and how does Aubrey help them?

4. What are conditions like for the men on board the Niobe?

5. Who leaves instructions for Aubrey and what are the orders?

6. How do the men survive the remainder of their desert trek and in what kind of shape are they in at the end of their march?

7. What does Maturin think about concerning Mrs. Fielding?

8. How does Maturin learn that the galley is not carrying treasure?

9. Who does the crew encounter while setting up camp?

10. How does the crew fare on their hike and who is the exception?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Treason's Harbour is one book in a series of novels involving Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Discuss the following.

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

2. What are two 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 or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Often in O'Brian's series involving Jack Aubrey, his ship and/or life is saved by extraordinary means. Discuss the following:

1. Research and define the literary term "narrative contrivance."

2. Identify and analyze a time in the book when O'Brian makes free use of the technique of narrative contrivance to save Aubrey and his ship in Treason's Harbour.

3. Does the use of narrative contrivance diminish the impact of the plot and the believability of the storyline?

4. Is there any other way O'Brian could have a mixture of suspense and action while at the same time making certain the main characters are not killed?

Essay Topic 3

Loyalty is demonstrated in a number of ways, as is the lack of loyalty. Aubrey's crew slowly deserts him to sign on with other captains during a period of downtime while Aubrey's ships are in repair. Yet, many crew members remain loyal to Aubrey despite not being paid during the down time. Discuss the following:

1. How do you define loyalty? Is the ability and desire to be loyal an admirable trait in humans? Why or why not? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being loyal to a person? Cause? Country? Idea? What of those who are loyal to something no matter what they learn about that person, thing, ideal, and country or has blind loyalty?

2. Discuss and analyze why you think man of Aubrey's crew remains to be loyal. Is it warranted, wise, or earned? Do you Aubrey is a loyal British subject? What do you think of Maturin? Is Aubrey a loyal friend, husband, or comrade? What do you think about Maturin? Discuss each situation.

3. Why do you think Aubrey is able to elicit loyalty and confidence from the men when they are traveling through treacherous seas and battling other ships?

(see the answer keys)

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