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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 do when when Martin comes to sick call?

2. How does the man from question #94 feel about Aubrey?

3. What condition seems to be covering Martin's skin?

4. At what port does Surprise and her prizes stop in Chapter 6?

5. How is Martin doing physically by Chapter 6?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aubrey attempt to do to correct what he found out about Dutourd?

2. Describe Eduardo and what kind of relationship do he and Maturin develop?

3. What does Gayongos say about Dutourd when he arrives for the meeting?

4. What does Aubrey hope to find as they sail to Peru and how does he find it?

5. What does Shelton volunteer for and what does he tell Aubrey?

6. Where does Maturin go when he leaves Callao the first time and who does he meet? Why is he going there?

7. Who does Maturin write about his mission and what does he tell him?

8. What is the result of Martin's self-medication?

9. Why does Aubrey go out to sea in Franklin, what does he encounter and what does he discover?

10. How does Aubrey fool the whaler?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of instances of foreshadowing in The Wine-dark Sea. Many of these instances, readers will recognize as probable foreshadowing; others, the readers may not be aware until the event which is foreshadowed occurs. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term foreshadow. Why do you think authors foreshadow a future event? What might be a reader's reaction to a sudden tragic or wonderful event if there were no hints whatsoever that it might occur?

2. Find four events that are foreshadowed in and pair up the foreshadowing text with the event. Analyze each event to include the following: What is foreshadowed? Is the method O'Brian uses to foreshadow effective? Did you guess when a particular text was foreshadowing a future event? Did you guess what the event is?

3. Along with foreshadowing, symbolism usually plays a role in most works of fiction? How extensive is the use of symbolism in The Wine-dark Sea? Is there enough symbolism to add depth to the writing? Interest to the writing? Explain your statements with examples.

Essay Topic 2

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. This was the purpose for the Surprise having a letter of marque. 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?

Essay Topic 3

In addition to understanding the war in which O'Brian's novels are set, it is quite helpful to have a basic understanding of nautical terminology and the types of ships and their armaments that were used during the early 1800s. Discuss the following:

1. Define ten of the most commonly-used shipboard terms and discuss how those terms are used in The Wine-dark Sea.

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the ships used in the early 1800s?

3. How is the British navy organized during this period (early 1800s) and how different do you think it is organized today (including how one rises in rank).

(see the answer keys)

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