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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 Sharpe asked to do to prove his sincerity?

2. Who halts Sharpe's flogging before it is finished?

3. What does Wellesley say about Sharpe?

4. What does Hakeswill goad Sharpe into doing?

5. Who are Lawford and Sharpe suppose to contact in the city?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

4. Why do they decide Sharpe is a good choice for the mission?

5. What does McCandless encounter on his way back to British forces?

6. What is the plan for Lawford and Sharpe, and what will they do when they get into the city?

7. What is the outcome of Sharpe's court-martial and what does Sergeant Green do for Sharpe?

8. Who is with McCandless when he arrives at the courtyard and what does he demand Sharpe do? How did Sharpe's actions turn out?

9. What is Sharpe doing with a dead enemy officer and how does his search end up?

10. When do Lawford and Sharpe depart, who joins them and why does Sharpe take charge of the mission?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Sharpe's Tiger", like many and perhaps a majority of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Sharpe's Tiger" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Sharpe's Tiger" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. State what you think are three characteristics of a successful novel and whether or not "Sharpe's Tiger" in your opinion is a successful novel.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

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

Essay Topic 3

In the world of academe, historical fiction is often considered an inferior form of the novel compared to "classic" literature. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think historical fiction might be considered second-rate compared to the classics?

2. Do you think historical fiction has the same elements as the classics? Why or why not?

3. What are the purposes do you think for people reading "the classics"? What are the purposes for people reading historical fiction? Is one purpose better than another? Explain your response.

4. Would you read historical fiction even outside an educational setting? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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