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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 are small detachments sent from time to time?

2. What do Sharpe and Jane do?

3. What does Harper do?

4. Who does Sharpe encounter after speaking with Carline?

5. Why do Girdwood and Simmerson make such an effort to find escaped recruits?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Marriott attempts to escape?

2. What does Jane tell him about the system for the recruits there and what does she say she will do?

3. What standard was at the royal gala and what did it have to do with Sharpe? What did the Prince have Sharpe do?

4. What does Sharpe do about the men following him?

5. What does Sergeant Carew at the second battalion depot tell Sharpe?

6. Under what names do Sharpe and Harper enlist and who enlists with them?

7. What happens when Sharpe asks the Prince about the second battalion?

8. What does Lord Fenner suggests should be done about the South Essex's trouble?

9. What does Nairn suggest Sharpe should do and why?

10. Who is in charge of the training camp Havercamp takes them to and what is he like as a commander?

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 Regiment 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

At the conclusion of a novel, most readers either consciously or unconsciously engage in processing the book 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 Regiment a "good" book? Why or why not? Use examples to illustrate your stance.

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

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

Essay Topic 3

Lawford's actions are blatantly self-serving. He tells Sharpe to lay low for a few days and then goes immediately to Fenner. Lawford believes Sharpe will be mollified by a promotion, but the main thrust of Lawford's proposal to Fenner is that Fenner becomes Lawford's political champion and promoter. Lawford apparently believes he is acting in Sharpe's best interest, but even so, his behavior is reprehensible.

1. Compare and contrast the difference between Lawford's behavior and Fenner's behavior. Is one less wrong than the other? Could one conceivably be considered less amoral than Fenner? Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

2. There is a cliche which says: Good intentions pave the way to hell. Relate this saying to Lawford's rationalization that he is acting in Sharpe's best interest. Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

3. Lawford obviously believes he needs a political champion and promoter to obtain what he wants in his career. This seems to indicate that hard work and talent is not enough to move ahead in one's career. Discuss whether you believe this to be true and whether it applies to all careers and to people in modern America. Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

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