The Bear Suit

When war breaks out in the opening segment of the novel, Aubrey and Maturin are vacationing in France. Maturin can pass for a Spaniard but Aubrey is obviously English. Hence, he dons a bear suit as a disguise and then travels across France with Maturin posing as his trainer. The suit is made from the skin of a real bear and is unbearably hot and constricting.

Gynandromorph

The gynandromorph is a peculiar insect—a mutant butterfly that is a male on one side of its body and a female on the other side of its body. Maturin obtains it from an associate and then makes it a present to Sir Joseph Blaine. As a symbol, the gynandromorph is a peculiar representation of Maturin.

Mapes Court

Mapes Court is the name given to the traditional home of the Williams family. Aubrey happens to rent Polcary...