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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. Who is Lieutenant Colonel Girdwood?

2. What does Sharpe decide to do?

3. Where does Harper go after the play?

4. What do Sharpe and Jane do?

5. Who owns the bar where Sharpe goes?

Short Essay Questions

1. Of what units does the South Essex consist and what is the function of each of those units? What seems to be the problem with one of the units?

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

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

5. What does Sharpe give Maggie and why?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The recruiting sergeant is a bluff, likable man who tells ridiculous, grandiose lies and draws in many unsuspecting recruits. Of course his entire spiel is lies, but even Sharpe admires Havercamp's ability to spin military enlistment as something desirable and exciting.

1. Do you think someone who lies as much as Havercamp does can also be a likable person? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

2. Most people have known someone who has joined the armed forces and inevitably hear the complaint that his/her recruiter lied. Discuss the concept that a recruiter lying isn't really wrong since everyone knows recruiters lie.

3. Compare and contrast the tactics of a military recruiter to a sales person, for example, one selling a used car.

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 Girdwood. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities and social skills.

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

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 Regiment. 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 Regiment. 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 Regiment? Which theme in Sharpe's Regiment speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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