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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 Killick do with Thuella?

2. What does Harper do to Robinson?

3. What does Sharpe do as the last longboat leaves the beach?

4. What does Sharpe do after they cross the Leyre River?

5. What does Sharpe do to all the supply wagons?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the bridge that the British built.

2. What happens in the second French assault on the fortress?

3. What does Calvet do with his artillery?

4. What happens when the French first arrive at the fort and how does Calvet respond to it?

5. What does Bampfylde do about Killick's ship and how does that turn out?

6. Describe Pierre Ducos and describe his unusual status.

7. Who joins Sharpe and why?

8. What is going on that favors the British and why does it favor them?

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

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

At the conclusion of a novel, most readers either consciously or unconsciously engage in processing the book and usually come to a conclusion as to whether they like the book or not. Discuss one of the following:

1. Would you consider Sharpe's Siege a "good" book? Why or why not? Use examples to illustrate your stance.

2. What do you think are the elements of an outstanding novel? Analyze one of your favorite novels to see if those elements are present.

3. What are some reasons you might consider a novel a failure? Analyze a novel you think is a failure and see if those elements are in that novel.

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 11, a Marine named Robinson sexually assaults a local girl named Lucille who is hysterical over the event. Sharpe threatens to hang the man but has Harper beat the Marine on the lame explanation that the rape had not actually been consummated. Discuss the following:

1. Does the beating seem sufficient punishment for the attempted rape? If Robinson attempts rape once, do you think it likely he will do so again? What do you think should have happened to Robinson?

2. One of the horrors of war is that called "collateral damage" in modern times. Discuss what you think that term means and discuss instances of "collateral damage" in Sharpe's Siege.

3. Is collateral damage an acceptable side effect of war? Is it unavoidable? What are ways Sharpe tries to minimize collateral damage? Do you think it is easier in the era in which Sharpe lives to avoid harm to civilians than in the modern era of high powered weapons? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Although Hogan's fever and eventual death is not focused on in a dominant way, the credibility of the basic plot relies heavily on this intelligence officer's information being withheld due to illness. In other words, Sharpe will go to war believing he is to act a certain way while in point of fact his mission was intended to be something else entirely. Choose one of the following to answer in detail:

1. Explain why the convenience of Hogan's illness is likely a narrative contrivance. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. Explain how you believe the plot could have worked without Hogan's illness. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

3. Based on Sharpe's behavior in his decision not to go to Bordeaux because of a "feeling" about de Marquerre, why would the author go to the trouble of inventing Hogan? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,174 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample