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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. Who does Aubrey go to meet?

2. What does Aubrey do that is indiscreet?

3. About what do the citizens gossip?

4. Who is Mr. Hairabedian?

5. Over what do Maturin and Aubrey argue concerning the ship?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Aubrey's orders from the Admiral for him and his crew?

2. What does Aubrey find when he checks on his crew?

3. Who is Mrs. Fielding and how does she and Ponto become friends with Aubrey?

4. How do the men that respond to Captain Aubrey's summons appear?

5. What is Captain Aubrey's specific situation?

6. Where do Aubrey and Maturin encounter each other and why is Maturin there?

7. What is Ramadan?

8. How does Aubrey "misbehave" and what is the result?

9. How does one gain rank in the British navy and why is that a problem right now for Aubrey?

10. Describe Mr. Hairabedian.

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 Treason's Harbour 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 the early 1800s is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Though it is not as evident in Treason's Harbour as others, most of the entire series of novels concerning Captain Jack Aubrey takes place during the Napoleonic Wars. Therefore, understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the naval aspect of the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British navy during the Napoleonic Wars to the importance of the British navy during either WWI or WWII.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation of everyone assuming Aubrey is having an affair with Mrs. Fielding while Aubrey assumes Maturin is having an affair with her and neither set of assumptions are correct.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use of and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from Treason's Harbour. What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in Treason's Harbour and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible techniques: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

(see the answer keys)

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