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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 can wealthy men learn in Willsen's club?

2. What does Sharpe do when Hocking brings him a young girl?

3. How does Sharpe get the chimney soot off him?

4. Who is chasing Sharpe after he kills Hocking and one of the bodyguards?

5. Who does Sharpe say he is seeking?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is Sharpe on Friday night at the opening of Chapter 2, and what does he do initially?

2. What does Sharpe do and think after fleeing Wapping Steps.

3. How does Sharpe escape confinement and what frightens him about his escape means?

4. Describe Sharpe and Baird's initial conversation.

5. Describe the initial communication between Captain Willsen and John Lavisser.

6. What is Wapping Steps and why does Sharpe go there?

7. Describe the approach of the British ships to the Danish shore.

8. What does Captain Dunnett announce to his troops concerning stealing from the Danes. and who appears to have already done so?

9. What is the reason for the mission to Copenhagen?

10. Why is Richard Sharpe angry about his commission and how did he get a commission?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The military way of life is in and of itself similar to a distinct culture. Understanding how the military is organized, how it operates, and its basic rules of conduct will make any novel that centers on the military more understandable and enjoyable. Discuss one of the following:

1. Describe and analyze the military structure during the time of "Sharpe's Prey". What is rank? What is the difference between officers and enlisted men? How serious is it to disobey an order? What happens if one decides he does not like being in the military and walks away? How are men conscripted? Does the infantry have a similar means of augmenting their ranks as the maritime action called "impressments"?

2. Compare the infantry of "Sharpe's Prey" to that in modern times in for the United States, England or France. What are the similarities? The differences? Are the changes from those times improvements? Why or why not? (This question will require some research).

3. Discuss why you think the military has the following: Uniforms, a rank structure of Officers and Enlisted, Strict Discipline, Training for New Recruits, Court Martial, and Different types of companies (i.e., rifle, Cavalry, artillery, etc). Discuss why you think men (and nowadays women) choose to become professional soldiers.

Essay Topic 2

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Sharpe and Lavisser. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities and social skills.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Harper and Angel.

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Richard Sharpe discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Sharpe's Prey". 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 Prey". 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 Prey"? Which theme in "Sharpe's Prey" speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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