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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 Sharpe have to do after disposing of three of the men?

2. What does Sharpe say when he pulls the hatch in the attic?

3. What does Lorcet find in Sharpe's accounts?

4. What does Lucille ask Sharpe if he misses?

5. What does Challon put under his arm?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Challon take Lucille, and what interrupts his plans for her the first time?

2. 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?

3. What does Locet tell Sharpe to do? How does Locet arrange for that to happen?

4. What does Lucille hope about Sharpe, and how does she feel about leaving her home?

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

6. What does Sharpe offer Gudin and what is Gudin's reply?

7. What does Malan say to Sharpe's request? What is Sharpe's response?

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

9. What does the man in the kitchen tell Sharpe about Ducos?

10. What does Picard hear as he thinks about his loss to Sharpe and what do he and Santon think it is?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the conclusion of a story, most readers either consciously or unconsciously engage in processing the story and usually come to a conclusion as to whether they like the book or not. Discuss one of the following:

1. Would you consider Sharpe's Christmas a "good" story? Why or why not? Use examples to illustrate your stance.

2. What do you think are the elements of an outstanding story? Analyze one of your favorite stories to see if those elements are present.

3. What are some reasons you might consider a story a failure? Analyze a story you think is a failure and see if those elements are in that novel.

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

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.

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