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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 is the rest of the Danish army?

2. What does Chase not want to do?

3. What does Astrid say about Sharpe to others?

4. Who questions Sharpe along with Gordon?

5. What does Sharpe still want to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Castenschiold plan to do in response to the British presence?

2. How does Sharpe shock Wellsley when he arrives at Lavisser's family home?

3. How does Sharpe prove Visser's involvement with the French?

4. Describe Sharpe's converstion with Madam Visser.

5. Where does Sharpe go with Astrid and how does it affect him?

6. What is the conversation between Lavisser and Barker about the damage to Lavisser's house?

7. How is Skovaard when Sharpe rescues him and where does Sharpe take him?

8. What does Sharpe ask of Chase and what is Chase's response?

9. Describe the conversation among Sharpe, Captain Gordon and Pumphrey.

10. What does Hopper give Sharpe when Sharpe first arrives on his ship, and what do Hopper and Chase say to Sharpe about Grace?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Good versus Evil. Both Barker and John Lavisser are shown to be "evil" characters.

The objective of this lesson is to look at good versus evil.

1. Class discussion. What is good? What is evil? Can good and evil both exist in the same person or situation? Who determines good and evil? In what ways can a "good" person act evil? What about an "evil" person acting good? How should evil be confronted? What can be done about evil? Is Sharpe all good versus Barker and Lavisser the "evil" character? Is life that simple? Is morality black and white? What are the "gray" areas in the scope of good versus evil?

2. Group work. In groups have students list ways in which Sharpe is perhaps not completely good. What of his actions could be considered evil, even if he is motivated for the good of all?

3. Class work. In class have students write an essay addressing the following question: Can good and bad exist together in the same person? Can a world be just good or just bad? When does "good" do harm? When does "bad" do good?

4. Homework. Students will choose one well known historical figure and write a paper comparing everything good and everything bad known about that person. The students might include personality traits, behaviors, actions, especially those which effected history, etc. The paper should include the student's opinion about whether the student would consider the person good or bad and how their traits compare to the characters in this play.

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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