Conflict of Loyalty

One of the themes in Sharpe's Gold is conflict of loyalty. In war, loyalties are not as clear-cut as they first appear. People on all sides have families, friends, and beliefs that may conflict with the "side" of the war on which they are supposed to be.

Kearsey is a British officer who has been working with the Partisans for much of his time in the war. He has been so integrated with the Spanish that he views the British treatment of them as unfair. Sharpe is unable to tell Kearsey the truth about the goal for the gold because of his strong belief in fairness. He is unable to side with the British because he is "supposed" to; instead Kearsey tries to do what he feels is fair and right. In war there is not a great deal of room for right and wrong because...