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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 seems likely about Sharpe and Jane?

2. Why is Marriott constantly beaten?

3. With whom do Harper and Shapre meet up?

4. What is Chelmsford?

5. How is Sharpe when he leaves Maggie Joyce?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are a couple of irregularities Sharpe notices about the recruiting Havercamp is doing?

2. What do the recruits do for the next few days after Sharpe and Harper enlist and where are they taken?

3. What is Havercamp like as a person, and what does he promise the recruits and how does he pay for the drinks he serves the recruits?

4. How were the recruits trained initially and what other work did they do?

5. How does Harper feel about Marriott's punishment for escaping and what does he do, what happens to him and what does Sharpe assume?

6. What does Sharpe give Maggie and why?

7. When Sharpe presented at the royal gala, how does Sharpe present himself and how does the Prince feel about Sharpe?

8. Where does Sharpe meet Jane Gibbons when at Simmerson and what do they do?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Girdwood is the primary antagonist in the novel and a completely deplorable character, although Simmerson and Fenner are indeed close seconds.

1. Why do you think Girdwood is still in the military? Discuss his motives and the military's motives for allowing him to stay. Use examples from Sharpe's Regiment to support your answer.

2. What do you think would happen to Girdwood if he served in the U.S. Army and still did the crimes he did? Compare the modern concept of criminals in the military with that of the era of Sharpe's Regiment.

3. Girdwood seems to be not only despicable, but pitiable. Discuss the concept of characters who though despicable can also be pitied. Use examples from Sharpe's Regiment to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Sharpe becomes entangled with Anne Camoynes in a sexual liaison and fails to question her motives for so engaging him. Anne indeed works as a spy and agent for Fenner and gathers information about Sharpe during their sexual escapade.

1. Why do you think Sharpe doesn't question Anne's motives in becoming involved with him? Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

2. It seems that to make Sharpe not question or see Anne's motives is a stretch of credibility. He was raised basically on the streets and has been in the military for many years. Discuss what you believe are the reasons a reader might believe Sharpe could be that gullible. Do you think the author should have addressed this weakness? Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

3. Anne hates Fenner yet reports to him Sharpe's stance on the second battalion and on his determination to pursue the issue. Discuss the conflicts in Anne's character and the lack of congruence between her emotions and her behavior. Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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