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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 Napoleon trying to conquer?

2. Who is Dr. McAdam?

3. What has been garrisoned by British soldiers?

4. For what use does Aubrey grind lenses?

5. How does Aubrey respond to Bertie's orders?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Aubrey spend his time at home and how does he feel about being home?

2. Describe the setting in the opening of the novel.

3. Where does Clonfert capture a fort and what happens then?

4. Why does Maturin go ashore at Mauritius and what information does he use?

5. What do the three men say about the captains of the other ships?

6. Describe the people who live with Aubrey.

7. What happened to Corbett's ship?

8. What does Maturin say is the reason he has come to see Aubrey?

9. How does Aubrey feel about Bertie's actions and orders?

10. Who joins Clonfert and what does he do? What happens to two English frigates with them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When one of the sailors on board Aubrey's ship has a skull fracture and subsequent operation, Aubrey links his chances of a successful naval battle with the successful recovery of the injured seaman. Aubrey, though very bright in many ways, is somewhat superstitious, a trait common to many sailors. Discuss the following:

1. What is superstition? Can you name a few common superstitions? Do any of them seem to have any validity in logic?

2. Why do you think sailors have the reputation for being superstitious? Do you think it is true? What superstitions are mentioned in Mauritius Command?

3. What are some of the superstitions you are familiar with that sailors seem to believe? Do you believe any of them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Clonfert and Corbett.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of McAdam and Maturin.

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Jack Aubrey, discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

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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