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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. What is done to Surprise in Shelmerston?

2. What does Maturin give Aubrey as the ship in question #38 closes?

3. What made Aubrey feel encouraged at the gathering?

4. What kind of relationship do Maturin and Aubrey have?

5. Why are the two men from question # 42 not in England?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Maturin do and where does he do it right after he buys her?

2. What does Aubrey do about the ship they raise near the end of the storm? What does Maturin find out from a man on the ship?

3. Why is Maturin late for Surprise's sailing?

4. What is Aubrey's situation at the beginning of THE LETTER OF MARQUE?

5. What alleviates Aubrey's concerns in question #17?

6. Which old friends or crew members join Aubrey on Surprise?

7. What is Aubrey going to do for money with Maturin? What is Maturin and Aubrey's relationship?

8. How does Aubrey feel about the efficiency of the work on Surprise and why?

9. What type of work does Maturin do and for what is he also known?

10. How does Padeen get injured and why does he continue to take pain medication?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Letter of Marque is one book in a series of novels involving Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Discuss the following?

1. What is one advantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What is a disadvantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Patrick O'Brian tries 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 LETTER OF MARQUE qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in THE LETTER OF MARQUE 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.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of THE LETTER OF MARQUE.

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of THE LETTER OF MARQUE.

(see the answer keys)

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