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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. Why is Herapath glad that Villiers is leaving?

2. What does Aubrey show Maturin later in the day after the attempted abduction?

3. Who does Wogan blame for the false information she gives the Americans?

4. How does Aubrey, Maturin and Villiers get out of the harbor?

5. Who calls on Maturin at Asclepia?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Maturin think Wogan does not know he disseminated bad intelligence and what do you think he should do about it?

2. How does Maturin explain his engagement to Villiers to Aubrey and what does this engagement say about Maturin's character?

3. How does George Herapath's attitude towards Wogan seem ironic or hypocritical?

4. About what does Maturin caution Villiers and why do you think he does so?

5. Who ambushes Maturin and what is humorous about his actions?

6. Why is Mr. Herapath so happy to hear that Villiers is leaving the United States?

7. How does Michael Herapath earn a living and why is this odd?

8. How does Villiers seem to Maturin and what actions has she taken that were unwise?

9. What does Maturin find in Johnson's papers and what is the implication?

10. What happens that even in the midst of the drama of escape is humorous?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Aubrey is interviewed by several obnoxious agents from the Navy who accuse him of various war crimes. He is thought to be a spy and the one who gives Wogan false intelligence. Discuss the following:

1. How many countries do you think have spies?

2. Why do you think spies are thought to be both necessary and yet they are despised?

3. Would you ever be willing to be a spy for your country?

4. A spy is not protected under the Geneva conventions. Why do you think that is?

Essay Topic 2

Captain Jack Aubrey is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in this book and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Aubrey who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

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 this book qualifies as 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 is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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