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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 does Maturin realize about Villiers?

2. What does Aubrey desperately want to do?

3. What does Aubrey do when he first makes land?

4. What was Maturin doing in America recently?

5. What impresses Smith about Aubrey?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the first thing Aubrey does upon arriving back in England?

2. What is the situation with Aubrey, Maturin and Villiers at the opening of THE SURGEON'S MATE?

3. How are the HMS Shannon's crew and passengers greeted in Halifax?

4. What do Maturin and Villiers think about Aubrey's behavior with Smith?

5. What is one of Villier's prized possessions and how does she come by it?

6. How does Maturin pass the time at the ball?

7. How do Aubrey, Maturin and Villiers each act once aboard the Diligence?

8. What is Aubrey's homecoming like?

9. Why is Aubrey particularly unhappy ashore?

10. Who pursues the Diligence and what is the outcome?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Aubrey is an officer and a gentleman and is therefore accorded more respect and trust even in enemy territory than the common sailor. Discuss the following:

1. Does it seem likely that officers are usually more respectable than enlisted men back then? What about today? Why or why not.

2. Aubrey has an adulterous affair with Amanda Smith in Halifax. Do you think this is how an officer and gentleman comports himself? Why or why not.

3. In the present military in the United States, both officers and enlisted can be held for court martial for adultery or having sexual relations with someone of inferior rank. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with the policy?

4. In the time in which THE SURGEON'S MATE is set, an officer's word was assumed to always be good; whereas a non-officer was not considered trustworthy. What is the flaw in this standard? Do you think it affects them moral and/or morals of non-officers? How?

Essay Topic 2

THE SURGEON'S MATE, 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 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 SURGEON'S MATE and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why THE SURGEON'S MATE is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. State what you think are three characteristics of a successful novel and whether or not THE SURGEON'S MATE in your opinion is a successful novel.

Essay Topic 3

During this era when the book takes place, if a vessel under the command of a naval officer captures another vessel from a country with whom they are warring or captures a pirate vessel, etc...the crew of the victorious vessel shares in the goods, money and value of the vessel. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the British had such a policy in place then?

2. What are the possible abuses that can arise from such a policy?

3. Why do you think this policy is eventually abandoned?

4. Which vessel(s) are mentioned in THE SURGEON'S MATE that fall under this maritime law and what are the circumstances of their capture? Does it seem fair?

(see the answer keys)

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