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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. Why does Lubecque have one of his men drive the cart?

2. What does Lorcet order Sharpe to do?

3. Who reprimands Challon?

4. What does Sharpe feel as he is marching to Irati that evening?

5. What is the tall man with hussar pigtails carrying?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sharpe tell Locet about the gold?

2. How does Sharpe send Gudin off?

3. Who pushes their way into the house while Sharpe is gone, and what do they do and say?

4. What does Sharpe think would be the best thing to do when he returns home? Why doesn't he do it? What does he find when he enters the kitchen?

5. What does Sharpe say about the villagers, especially Malan? What is Lucille's response?

6. What does Lucille do when Challon pushes on the bed, and what is Challon's response?

7. Why does Malan agree to help Sharpe?

8. Why is Sharpe in Normandy, and what does he think about when he holds his rifle?

9. What happens between Challon and Lucille in the kitchen, and what is Lorcet's response?

10. What does Hagman have to say about Maria and her baby?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Richard Sharpe is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in Sharpe's Christmas 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 always succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Sharpe who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person. Illustrate your statements with examples from the text.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Most of the entire series of novels concerning Richard Sharpe 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 battles that take place on land between Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars.

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

4. Write an expository essay on how the Napoleonic War affects the social culture of one of the following countries: Britain, France, or Germany.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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