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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. About what does Aubrey worry?

2. What does Aubrey decide to do when he returns to Malta?

3. What ship seems trapped between the Surprise and Dryad?

4. Who makes port at Malta before the Surprise?

5. What does Aubrey fear about submitting his report?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the encounter with the treasure galley.

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

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

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

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

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

7. What happens in Mrs. Fielding's home while Maturin sits in the dark awaiting her return?

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

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

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Treason's Harbour based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if it is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that Treason's Harbour falls within the genre of historical fiction changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Treason's Harbour.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Treason's Harbour. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors and by the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Treason's Harbour. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors and by the action?

Essay Topic 3

In addition to understanding the war in which O'Brian's novels are set, it is quite helpful to have a basic understanding of nautical terminology and the types of ships and their armaments that were used during the early 1800s. Discuss the following:

1. Define ten of the most commonly-used shipboard terms and discuss how those terms are used in Treason's Harbour.

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the ships used in the early 1800s?

3. How is the British navy organized during this period (early 1800s) and how different do you think it is organized today (including how one rises in rank).

4. Compare/contrast one of the naval battles/hostile actions between two vessels described in the novel with one from WWII.

(see the answer keys)

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