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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 Lord Simon Fenner?

2. What do Sharpe and Jane do?

3. Where are they recruits finally led?

4. Who, along with Harper, enjoys the crowds?

5. What does Sharpe tell Jane?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe John Lynch, the training sergeant and his particular dislike.

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

4. Where do Harper and Sharpe go and why do they receive attention? How do Sharpe and Harper feel about the attention?

5. Why does Sharpe walk to a poor rookery? What is Sharpe's connection to it?

6. What are Girdwood's orders concerning Harper and what does Harper do?

7. What does Anne tell Fenner and why?

8. Where is Sharpe sent on a work party and what does he take the time to do?

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

10. With whom does Sharpe meet concerning the South Essex problems and what does he tell Sharpe?

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

Crimping, while common, is illegal and obviously quite lucrative. Fenner and Simmerson have profited greatly from their scheme, as has Girdwood, but to a lesser degree. The three men are influential, powerful, and unlikely to give up this lucrative source of income easily.

1. Discuss the possible motives and benefits to being involved in a lucrative but illegal activity. Include in your discussion whether the benefits are worth the possible consequences and if the damage to one's character is worth the benefits. Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

2. The three men involved in the recruiting scheme are influential and powerful. Do you believe it is easier for that type of person to get away with criminal activity than the average person? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

3. After research, compare Fenner to a modern day American politician who has been cited for a scandal while in office. Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Usually the women in this series are background to the men and tend to fit a stereotype of women in this era of history. This book has a different type of woman, Dowager Countess Anne Camoynes, who is strong enough to survive her husband, leaving her in debt and intelligent enough to finally outwit Fenner.

1. Present and analyze the treatment of women in Dowager Countess Anne Camoynes.

2. Cornwell is trying to be historically accurate, so is his treatment of women in his book(s) justified?

3. Is there any way Cornwell could have presented women in a more positive light and still stayed historically accurate? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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