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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. Of what Is the convoy which comes across the ambush site consist?

2. What does the sortie led by Frederickson accomplish?

3. What do Killick's longboats do?

4. About how long does it take Sharpe to subdue the French?

5. Where is the ambush site that Sharpe selects located?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Calvet do with his artillery?

2. What do Sharpe and his men do to prepare for the French forces marching on them at the fortress? What information does Killick give them?

3. What occurs during the exchange between Calvet and Killick?

4. Describe General Calvet and what type of military leader is he?

5. What happens with Ducos' plan and how does Sharpe feel about de Maquerre's information?

6. What type of tactic has Sharpe used to get his men out of the fort? Describe how it worked.

7. What is the local commander, Calvet like?

8. Who joins Sharpe and why?

9. What kind of fighting method does Sharpe have his men do?

10. What do the French do on their first assault on the fortress?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The English decide a temporary bridge must be constructed, using dozens of small ships as a system of support. To this end, the British Navy begins to capture dozens of small vessels. A large number of suitable craft is located near Gujan, and a naval expedition led by Captain Horace Bampfylde is organized. The British army decides that a diversionary action is also needed to divert French forces from the river crossing site; to this end, they decide on a military feint near Gujan; the two missions will be launched simultaneously. A sympathetic superior officer, Colonel Elphinstone, bluntly states that Sharpe has been selected as a sacrificial lamb. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the British command believes the loss of the Sharpe's Company in a battle against hopeless odds is acceptable? Do you think Sharpe would have followed orders to take his men to divert the French had he known the odds were so overwhelming? Explain with examples.

2. Many wars are fought under the assumption of "acceptable losses." Usually it is the common foot soldier who is doing most of the dying. In fact, the term "cannon fodder," is often used to describe infantry who are killed by the hundreds gaining small hills or bits of land, sometimes to lose the same piece of "real estate" several times with continuing loss of life. Is this truly acceptable?

3. Sometimes some will say that wars would be few and far between if those who decided to go to war had to be in the front lines. Do you think that would make a difference?

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 9, the meeting between de Maquerre and Ducos heavily foreshadows future developments. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "foreshadow."

2. What is foreshadowed by the meeting between de Maquerre and Ducos? What are other instances of foreshadowing in the book? What purpose do you think it serves that the author chooses to give "hints" of things to come?

3. Are there times when something seems to be foreshadowed in Sharpe's Siege, but it does not play out in the manner hinted at? Why do you think the author chooses to lead the readers astray? How do you react when something happens in the book of which there is no hint whatsoever earlier? Do readers like to "prepare" themselves for future action in a book? Do you feel "cheated" when a major character whom you have come to enjoy immensely dies or is killed suddenly with no hint that it is going to happen? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

RSM Harper's request to accompany Sharpe begins one of the more risible minor plot arcs presented in the narrative. Discuss the following:

RSM Harper's request to accompany Sharpe begins one of the more risible minor plot arcs presented in the narrative. Discuss the following:

1. What is meant by the term "comic relief?" Why do you think an author interjects comic relief into a story? Is it necessary?

2. Thoroughly discuss the situation with Harper and explain how the situation could be considered comic relief. Do you find it a humorous situation?

3. Why does Harper have to go to such extremes to effect his accompaniment of Sharpe's regiment? What would have happened to Harper had he just gone along with the riflemen after Sharpe told him no? Why do you think Sharpe is so angry to see Harper even though Sharpe greatly respects Harper's ability as a soldier? Would Sharpe have had to be the one to effect punishment against Harper?

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