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

Essay Topic 2

Usually the women in this series are in the background to the men and tend to fit a stereotype of women in this era of history. This book has a different type of woman, Teresa Sharp, who is strong enough to lead a group of rebels in skirmishes against the French.

1. Present and analyze the treatment of Teresa Sharp. Is her character believable? Is it believable that a group of men during that era would follow her as a soldier leader? What traits does Teresa possess that makes her a good leader? A weak leader?

2. Discuss Sharpe's attitude towards his wife both as a woman and as a soldier. Does he approve of her role leading soldiers? Do you think the fact that Sharpe is from the lower class makes him more accepting or less accepting of his wife's role in the war?

3. Discuss 3 other men's attitude towards Teresa Sharpe. Do they approve or disapprove of her? Do they like her? Do they see her as a woman?

Essay Topic 3

Cornwell is masterful in his description of battles and life in general in for a soldier during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 1800s. Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze Cornwell's descriptive passages about life as a soldier. How does he use descriptions of the five senses to make the reader feel s/he is there? Do you find his descriptions compelling? Seemingly accurate? How would the novel be different if Cornwell did not include such descriptive passages?

2. Analyze Cornwell's descriptive passages about the social structure of the times and discuss what you think it would be like to be a person of wealth and/or privilege such as Major Tubbs or Ducos. Contrast that to the lives of those who are in a lower social strata such as Sharpe and Harper or one in service to someone of wealth and/or privilege.

3. Describe and analyze Cornwell's descriptive passages about the topographical setting and the physical descriptions of the people. Does Cornwell do an adequate job of actually making the reader "see" the land/sea where the action is taking place? How about getting a visual image of the characters? How does the descriptions of the setting add to the novel? Do you like having an idea of how a character looks? How would the novel be different without such descriptions?

(see the answer keys)

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