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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. To what does the man admit?

2. What does Surprise cross at the opening to Chapter 3?

3. Who insults Maturin one evening?

4. For what will they use the harpooned creature?

5. What vessel is closing on Surprise?

Short Essay Questions

1. What else does Maturin do during the voyage to Moahu?

2. How does Clarissa end up at a penal colony in Australia?

3. What is a bit strange about Surprise's first at-sea inspection?

4. Describe Stephan Maturin.

5. How does Aubrey ready his crew for battle and what is Clarissa's reaction to this?

6. Describe Captain Aubrey.

7. What does Aubrey host on the way to Moahu and what is his and Maturin's estimation of Clarissa?

8. What does the lookout spot as they are leaving the area of Norfolk Island and what does Aubrey decide to do about it?

9. Why do Sarah and Emily become upset and how is the problem solved?

10. Why does Aubrey send Bonden to scout the shore of Norfolk Island?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of literary elements that occur in many works of fiction. Irony is a means of increasing both the humor and the complexity of a story. O'Brien often includes irony in his Aubrey/Maturin series. Point of view is the way the story is narrated; all works of fiction have a point of view. Conflict is almost always present in a work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary terms irony, point of view and conflict.

2. Identify two instances of irony in Truelove, offering examples from the text.

3. Identify the point of view of the novel and discuss why you think O'Brien chooses to use that particular point of view. Does the point of view seem to be the best one for THE TRUELOVE? Why or why not.

4. Identfiy two major conflicts in THE TRUELOVE. Are the conflicts completely resolved by the end of THE TRUELOVE? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 trustworthy than enlisted men back then? What about today? Why or why not?

2. Aubrey has an adulterous affair with a young native woman . 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 TRUELOVE 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 the moral and/or morals of non-officers? How? What about the morale of each group?

Essay Topic 3

THE TRUELOVE, 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 TRUELOVE and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Truelove 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 Truelove in your opinion is a successful novel.

(see the answer keys)

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