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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. Why does Louisa invite herself to dinner?

2. What do Sharpe's men do when he assembles them in the morning?

3. What does the sergeant Williams order the riflemen to do before the second attack of the French?

4. What does Sharpe do when they are running for the farmhouse?

5. What does Harper refuse to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Vivar ask Sharpe to recount and what does Vivar explain to Sharpe? Where does he ask Sharpe to go?

2. What do the British and Spanish find when they enter a village, what do they do and how do the troops feel?

3. What does Dunnet order the riflemen to do when the French are charging them and what is Sharpe's response?

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

5. What happens when the French assault the farmhouse the first time and what does Sharpe tell Harper? What is Harper's response?

6. What does Sharpe tell the Parkers when they see French cavalry coming and what does he do with his riflemen? Who does he see within the French forces?

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

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

9. What does Sharpe have his riflemen do when the French ambush them?

10. What is the fortress to which Vivar has brought Sharpe and the Spanish troops and what does Vivar say about Spain and the French?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Honor is a very important concept in Sharpe's Rifles and in the life of those in the upper class during that era. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of honor in Sharpe's Rifles. What do you think Sharpe would tell you is the definition of honor if you ask him? Do you think honor can be restored if it is lost?

2. Respond to the following statement using specific examples from the book and your own experience: Honor is one of the most important character traits for anyone in any social strata. First fully define the concept of honor, then discuss whether you believe the preceding statement is true with specific examples from Sharpe's Rifles and other books/films and other media that you have read or experienced.

3. During the era in which Sharpe lives, men could give their word on the basis of being a gentleman and it was assumed to be true. There was no such concept for a lady or anyone of lower social/economic groups. Fully discuss the implications in a society where only gentlemen are considered trustworthy enough to give their word unquestioned.

Essay Topic 2

Sharpe's Rifles, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Sharpe's Rifles and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Sharpe's Rifles is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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