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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Oakes, West and Davidge demonstrate?

2. Who are two people Maturin and Clarissa talk about?

3. How does Aubrey try to solve the problem some of the officers are having?

4. Who speaks freely?

5. What infuriates Aubrey about the problems Davidge and West have?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 THE TRUELOVE qualifies as an 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.

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 THE TRUELOVE 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? Which is more interesting?

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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in THE TRUELOVE. Does the setting seem to be the best one for the plot? Can you think of a better setting? Why or why not?

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of THE TRUELOVE. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of THE TRUELOVE. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 436 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample