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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 does Sharpe advise Vivar not to do?

2. What does a lieutenant in a small village do in Chapter 1 right before the British are getting ready to withdraw?

3. What does Murray believe when he offers Sharpe advice?

4. Who does Sharpe meet in the night?

5. For what does Vivar thank Harper?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sharpe do to talk to the French and what is the French colonel's appearance like compared to Sharpe?

2. Who does Sharpe meet when a monk wakes him and asks Sharpe to come with him and what does this person say to Sharpe?

3. What does de l'Eclin accuse Sharpe of and what is Sharpe's response? What does Vivar's brother say?

4. What does Sharpe order the Parkers to do and what does Sharpe do when Mrs. Parker refuses?

5. Who, of the French forces chasing Vivar, does Vivar watch the most and why?

6. Why does Sharpe withdraw his small force of riflemen he left in the woods?

7. What does Vivar asks Sharpe and what does Sharpe decide to do after speaking with Vivar?

8. What does Sharpe ask about the strong box and what is Vivar's response? How does Sharpe respond to this?

9. Why do Sharpe's men begin to call out enthusiastically when the Parkers come in front of the assembly and what does Mrs. Parker explain to Sharpe?

10. What does Vivar tell Sharpe about Vivar's troops?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Cornwell has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Sharpe's Rifles qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in Sharpe's Rifles are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

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

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

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

Sharpe, despite his background, is an officer and a gentleman and is therefore accorded more respect and trust even in enemy territory than the common soldier. Discuss the following:

1. Does it seem likely that officers were usually more respectable than enlisted men back then? What about today? Why or why not.

2. Sharpe treats Mrs. Parker harshly and even drags her from the carriage and lets her drop in the mud. Do you think this is how an officer and gentleman comports himself? Why or why not?

3. In the present military in the United States, both officers and enlisted can be held for court martial for adultery or having sexual relations with someone of inferior rank. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with the policy?

(see the answer keys)

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