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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. How does Aubrey respond to Maturin's request?

2. Why does Captain Thomas refuse to speak to Maturin soon after the dinner starts?

3. Where does Stephen go the next morning?

4. Where will the French squadron really sail for?

5. Of what is Morley guilty?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mrs. Williams demonstrate her obnoxious personality?

2. Describe the squadron's first capture.

3. What does Aubrey find when he gets home and what happens to him as he rides to Woolcombe?

4. What conflict exists among the servants at Aubrey's estate?

5. How long is Maturin ill and what is the fleet doing when he returns to consciousness?

6. Whose death does Maturin learn of as he is traveling to meet Diana, and how does she receive Maturin?

7. What is the story about Bob Morley?

8. What does Stephen ask of Aubrey and what is his response?

9. What does Aubrey decide to do when they arrive at Philip's Island?

10. What does Aubrey learn when he opens his orders and what does he ask Maturin concerning the orders?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Commodore, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Commodore and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

During this era in which The Surgeon's Mate is set, there are strongly-adhered-to class distinctions. 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 The Hundred Days?

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 3

Patrick O'Brian has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think The Commodore qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era (early 1800s) is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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