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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. With what is Franklin armed?

2. What does Maturin think happened between the woman and Martin?

3. What do the Franklin and Surprise exchange when close enough?

4. What does Franklin do to lighten her load?

5. What does Maturin think about concerning his arrival in Peru?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Maturin think Clarissa has to do with Martin's present state of mind?

2. How is Martin behaving and what does Maturin see Martin doing?

3. What is happening to the ocean and the winds by the end of Chapter 1 and what does Aubrey think of it?

4. How does Reade accidentally slow down the Surprise?

5. What type of mix is Surprise's crew and for what are some of the older members known?

6. How does Aubrey handle the taking of the Franklin and what is the most pressing need for the ship?

7. What does Dutourd say about surrender and what does Aubrey discover in Franklin's papers?

8. What were the mortar rounds the Surprise crew thought were being sent at them?

9. Who is Clarissa Harvill, why was she on the Surprise, and what did Aubrey make her do?

10. What is Maturin's personal reason for going to Peru?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though The Wine-dark Sea 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 Aubrey and Maturin. How are they similar? How are they different? Would you consider one of them a stronger character than the other? How does each of them add to the story?

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Maturin and Sir Joseph. How are they similar? How are they different? Would you consider one of them a stronger character than the other? How does each of them add to the story?

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 2

Captain Jack Aubrey is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in The Wine-dark Sea 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

Often in O'Brian's series involving Jack Aubrey, his ship and/or life is saved by extraordinary means. Discuss the following:

1. Research and define the literary term "narrative contrivance."

2. Identify and analyze a time in the book when O'Brian makes free use of the technique of narrative contrivance to save Aubrey and his ship or to set up a subplot in The Wine-dark Sea.

3. Does the use of narrative contrivance diminish the impact of the plot? The believability of the storyline?

4. Is there any other way O'Brian could have a mixture of suspense and action while at the same time making certain the main characters are not killed?

(see the answer keys)

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