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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 learn when he dives for the treasure?

2. What boat is commanded by Harry Cotton?

3. Who is Major Pollock?

4. Who rescues Mr. Fielding?

5. How does Maturin use the situation with Mrs. Fielding?

Short Essay Questions

1. What concerns the men when they arrive at the fort, but what happens in the end?

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

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

4. With what is the Admiral most concerned about the events surrounding the treasure ship's trickery?

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

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

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

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

9. Describe the capture of a French privateer by the Surprise.

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

At sea, the commander of a vessel is "God," and failure to obey the Captain's orders can subject one to court martial and even execution. Discuss the following:

1. Should sailors be held accountable for anything they do under orders? Discuss fully, using examples both from Treason's Harbour and your own knowledge.

2. Why do you think mutiny on a ship is punishable by death?

3. Is there ever justification for a crew to mutiny?

(see the answer keys)

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