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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 do the Spanish think about Sharpe being sentenced to hanging?

2. To what does Hogan compare the situation with Sharpe?

3. In what country was Leroy born?

4. What do the witnesses against Sharpe say they used to identify him?

5. What does the Mother Superior ask Sharpe to do when he meets her?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Sharpe and Angel get past the ambush with La Marquesa?

2. Why can't Wellington execute Sharpe and what does Hogan tell Sharpe about his mission?

3. What does Hogan order Sharpe to do and why?

4. Why is el Matarife at an inn near the Convent of the Heavens and what does he do about Wellington's request?

5. Describe what the Spanish see during Sharpe's supposed execution.

6. Why does Leroy confront Sharpe and what does he want Sharpe to do?

7. How does Sharpe feel about tents, why does he feel that way and what does he and Patrick think they might be able to do about them?

8. What does the Mother Superior at the convent ask Sharpe and what does he tell her?

9. What event happens concerning the Marque after his discussion with Father Hacha?

10. What does Sharpe do when he first arrives at the convent where Helene is being held?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sharpe, despite his background, is an officer and a gentleman and is therefore accorded more respect and trust even in enemy territory than the common soldier. He has been told if he gives his parole he will not be guarded yet he cannot accede to that. Discuss the following:

1. Does it seem likely that officers are usually more respectable than enlisted men back then? What about today? Why or why not.

2. Sharpe has begun an affair with Helene, a woman recently widowed and who has participated in setting Sharpe up to be convicted of murder. Do you think this is how an officer and gentleman comports himself? Why or why not.

3. In the present military in the United States, both officers and enlisted can be held for court martial for adultery or having sexual relations with someone of inferior rank. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with the policy?

Essay Topic 2

There are three "villains" in Sharpe's Honor. Father Hacha is intelligent and clever with his cruelty, and El Matarife is completely savage; El Matarife is torturing a captive when the reader first meets him. Pierre Ducos is a greedy and self-serving character and brutally highlights hostilities between France and Spain.

1. Explain, with examples from the text, what you see are the main motivations behind Pierre Ducos's behavior. If he lived in America today with what crimes do you think he would be charged?

2. Father Hacha is a "villain" who does not seem to be motivated by self-interest. Discuss why or why not you believe this statement to be true. Use examples from Sharpe's Honor to support and illustrate your opinion.

3. Do you think crimes or immoral behavior motivated by good intentions is more pardonable than that motivated by self-interests? Why or why not? Use examples from Sharpe's Honor to support and illustrate your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Sharpe's Honor is one book in a series of novels involving Richard Sharpe. Discuss the following.

1. What are two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Illustrate your statements with details from the text.

2. What is a disadvantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Illustrate your statements with details from the text.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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