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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. Who comes aboard to speak with Sawyer?

2. What does McCool give Hornblower?

3. Who is Reverend Doctor Claudius?

4. How old is Hornblower at the opening of this short story?

5. What bothers Hornblower about the letter from McCool?

Short Essay Questions

1. What man is aboard the Epérance in whom the English seem interested?

2. What are the setting and circumstances at the opening of this short story?

3. What do the formerly sleeping watch sailors do as Hornblower is contemplating what to do with the ship?

4. What do Hornblower and his men do when the prize crew arrives?

5. What does Hornblower do mostly because he is so tired and what is the response of Marsden?

6. What does Hornblower hand over to Marsden and Barrow, and what do they make of it?

7. What does Baddlestone suggest and what does Hornblower ultimately have the men do to the French brig?

8. How does Reverend Doctor Claudius fit into Hornblower's scheme?

9. What are several factors that cause Marsden to be impressed with Hornblower?

10. Why is Hornblower privy to the information passed with the signal flags?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 2 on board the Princess, Hornblower ponders his personal future. He has been promised a promotion to post captain but wonders if the promotion will actually be given. There are many, many captains waiting for a command. Even if promoted, as the most-junior captain he may simply sit ashore and watch the war pass him by. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Hornblower is anxious to go back to war? Do you think he is fearless? Suicidal? Courageous?

2. Do you think Hornblower, as many young people, seems to hold the belief that he will not be the one to be killed? Discuss fully.

3. After returning to England, Hornblower suffers what would today be labeled post-traumatic stress from the memory of the bloody battle on the French brig. Do you think Hornblower is as eager to go back to the war now that he has had an up-close sample of hacking men to death? Discuss fully.

Essay Topic 2

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Horatio Hornblower is no exception. Hornblower's legendary powers of reasoning is juxtaposed with his nervousness and internalized self-doubt. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze situations when Hornblower demonstrates his powers of reasoning and ability to act in a crisis. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis. Are Hornblower's strengths apparent in each of the three stories?

2. Trace and analyze Hornblower's character flaws, especially his nervousness and self-doubt, offering specific examples of these flaws in your discussion. Are these flaws apparent in each of the three stories?

3. Compare the young Hornblower from Horn to the older Hornblower in HORNBLOWER DURING THE CRISIS to the elderly Hornblower in "The Last Encounter." How are they alike? What traits are apparent in each selection? How has Hornblower matured?

Essay Topic 3

Hornblower is a man who, for the most part, "plays by the book." Several of the men Hornblower encounters during the course of Hornblower During the Crisis do not play by the book. Discuss the following:

1. Baddlestone is surly and abusive towards the English naval officers knowing he cannot be pressed into service. Additionally, Baddlestone extorts money from Hornblower who does not know the navy's rates for passage aboard the Princess. Do you think Hornblower admires Baddlestone? Finds him despicable? A combination of both? Why do you think Baddlestone is willing to listen to a Hornblower in getting out of the situation with the French brig?

2. McCool also does not play by the rules. How do you think Hornblower views McCool's actions? Do you think Hornblower wishes he had more passion for something as McCool does? Do you think Hornblower is passionate enough to die for his beliefs as McCool does? Why or why not.

3. Hornblower "plays by the book" in choosing not to keep the money from McCool's trunk. Do you think this is admirable? Do you think you'd play by the book in the same situation? Why or why not?

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