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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 is Richard Sharpe's rank in Chapter 1?

2. Where do the lancers take the "deserters"?

3. What do McCandless and his Indian escort run into on his way back to the British army?

4. Why does Gudin suggest showing mercy to British prisoners is a good idea?

5. Why is the Frenchman Gudin with Tippoo?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the officers discussing at the beginning of Chapter 4 and what is Lawford's suggestion?

2. How does Tippoo execute two men?

3. What do Hector McCandless and Appah Rao do when they meet?

4. What is Sharpe observing at the beginning of Chapter 1, and what is his position in the British army? What is he thinking about at the beginning of Chapter 1?

5. What does McCandless see at Seringapatam and what is his hope?

6. What does the British do to advance on Tippoo and why are Tippoo's tactics poor?

7. How is Sharpe's punishment carried out and how does it stop?

8. What nationality is Mary and what do she and Sharpe talk about when he joins her after the battle? To whom was Mary married when she became a widow?

9. Where do the deserters spend their first night, who interrogates them and what do they see in the courtyard the next morning?

10. How do the other officers feel about Lawford suggesting Sharpe accompany him on the mission?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of literary techniques evident in "Sharpe's Tiger". Discuss the following:

1. Look up and define the literary technique called "narrative contrivance." Where do you think narrative contrivance occurs? Why? Give two examples and analyze them to see if the author has to come up with something to "save the day."

2. Does the use of narrative contrivance diminish the impact of the plot? The believability of the storyline?

3. Is there any other way Cornwell could have a mixture of suspense and action while at the same time making certain the main characters are not killed?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Sharpe's Tiger".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Sharpe's Tiger". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Sharpe's Tiger". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

Cornwell has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think this book qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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