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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 Maturin observe that pleases him?

2. What is Niobe?

3. Who makes port at Malta before the Surprise?

4. What surrounds the men while they are setting up camp?

5. Why does the boat not make good progress up the Gulf of Suez?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Aubrey decide to commence training Mr. Maitland and Mr. Honey?

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

3. What happens to the crew's supplies?

4. What seems to demonstrate that Aubrey's failure to gain the treasure will not be held against him?

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

6. Describe the encounter with the treasure galley.

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

8. What does Mr. Fielding falsely believe about Aubrey and how does that influence Mr. Fielding's choices?

9. To whom does Aubrey make his report about the treasure ship and what is the person's reaction?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During this era in which Treason's Harbour is set, there are class distinctions that are strongly adhered to. Aubrey and Maturin are both gentlemen. Discuss one of the following:

1. How do the divisions of class tend to make divisions among men? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a class-based society? What evidence is there of those advantages and disadvantages in Treason's Harbour?

2. In the English military of that era, nobles and gentlemen generally were the officers and very few of the working or peasant class could cross the line into officer territory. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of such a system?

3. Do you think there is a class system in the United States? Does it carry over to the military? Why or why not? Some research may be required.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

There are a number of instances of foreshadowing in Treason's Harbour. For many of those instances, readers will suspect hint at something to come; 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 previous chapters 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 Treason's Harbour? Is there enough symbolism to add depth to the writing? Interest to the writing? Explain your statements with examples.

(see the answer keys)

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