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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 find out the night after the battle with the French?

2. What does the French negotiator think Sharpe is trying to do?

3. What does Sharpe think about advancing directly into the French troops?

4. Who intervenes when Sharpe and Vivar get into a fight?

5. Who arrives at the farmhouse with extra cavalry?

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 does De l'Eclin tell Sharpe about surrender and what does he say about the French army? What does Sharpe think of De l'Eclin's assertion about the French army?

3. What does Mrs. Parker say about Santiago de Compostela and the British?

4. 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?

5. With whom does Sharpe dine the first night in the fortress and why do Vivar and Alzaga argue?

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

7. What does Vivar tell Davila to do?

8. What does Vivar tell Sharpe about leadership?

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

10. What does Murray tell Sharpe before Murray dies?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Sharpe's Rifles. 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 Rifles. 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 Rifles? Which theme in Sharpe's Rifles speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Richard Sharpe is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in Sharpe's Rifles and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't always succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Sharpe who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person. Illustrate your statements with examples from the text.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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