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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. Where does Picard send the voltiguers?

2. Who will cover the east road?

3. What is the state of England in Sharpe's Ransom?

4. What does Sharpe send D'Alembord to do in the south?

5. What are both men unable to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Cornwell feel about writing Sharpe's Christmas, and why did he feel that way?

2. What does Harper think about the British coming into conflict with the French? What does Sharpe think about it? Why?

3. What does Caillou object to with the leaving of the fort? How does he threaten Gudin? How does Gudin feel about Caillou's threat?

4. Where does Sharpe send his skirmishers? What is the result?

5. What does Gudin think about when he thinks of India?

6. What does Cornwell say about Sharpe's Christmas in the introduction?

7. What does Sharpe say to d'Alembord about India?

8. What do the French do about the remaining barrels, and what is Sharpe facing from the south?

9. What does Cornwell say about the people who helped him write Sharpe's Christmas? What else does he address in the introduction?

10. When does Sharpe think the French will arrive? What does he do for his men because of this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often titles reveal much about one or more aspects of a novel. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think is the purpose of a title? How closely related to a major theme(s) of a book do you think a title should be? Or should it be?

2. Sharpe's Christmas suggests these short stories might be different from Sharpe in a war situation. Discuss this title and the theme behind it.

3. If you were the writer of Sharpe's Christmas and your editor says the title must be changed, what would you choose? Why?

4. Discuss the titles of the two short stories and their meanings in the context of the story. Evaluate the effectiveness of the title.

Essay Topic 2

Sharpe's Christmas, like many, and perhaps a majority, of stories ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think most people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Sharpe's Christmas and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Sharpe's Christmas is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Sharpe's Christmas. Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Sharpe's Christmas. How does one character's actions portray the themes you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to those themes? Is each theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in Sharpe's Christmas? Which theme in Sharpe's Christmas speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

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