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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. The man who meets Ducos fought on what front?

2. What do Sharpe's men do when they reach the main British encampment?

3. What does Bampfylde do that nearly wrecks the fortress?

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

5. What does Calvet decide about the best way to assault the fortress?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the first town to which Sharpe and his men come and what is there?

3. What does Sharpe and his men ambush?

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

5. Describe Pierre Ducos and describe his unusual status.

6. What does colonel Favier ask Sharpe and what is his reply?

7. What do both Calvet and Sharpe realize about the assaults on the fortress and how it will end.

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

9. What do Sharpe and Frederickson think about their situation and what troubles Sharpe?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Richard Sharpe is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in this book 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, is a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet" or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't always succeed more admirable?

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.

Essay Topic 2

Sharpe weighs various factors in trying to decide what to do about Killick and decides that he cannot simply leave Killick behind, knowing full well that as soon as Sharpe is out of sight, Bampfylde will begin hanging the Americans. He is also haunted by the specter of Jane's death and involves himself in some superstitious speculation; Killick's yarn about sailors being hung in still air sends chills down Sharpe's spine and he somehow illogically conflates the story with Jane's survival. Sharpe comes to the conclusion that sparing Killick somehow guarantees Jane's survival. Discuss the following:

1. What is superstition? Can you name a few common superstitions? Do any of them seem to have any validity in logic? How do you think a superstition gets started? Continues?

2. Why do you think soldiers have the reputation for being superstitious? Do you think it is true? What superstitions are mentioned in Sharpe's Siege? Do you think superstitions help a person emotionally or psychologically when that person's life is in danger constantly such as a soldier at war? Do you think people are more superstitious during the era of Sharpe's Siege than they are now? Why or why not?

3. Do you believe any superstitions? What are they? Why? Have you ever found yourself unconsciously associating the outcome of something with something else happening that is totally unrelated? Discuss a couple of those times. How do you start associating one event with the other?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Sharpe's Siege. 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 do you think it is not a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Sharpe's Siege. 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 do you think it not 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 Siege? Which theme in Sharpe's Siege speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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