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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. Who fights the jettis?

2. What are Tippoo's primary defenses?

3. What happens while Sharpe and Hakeswill are interacting?

4. What does Lawford say about the rockets on the city walls?

5. Who takes a liking to Mary?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lawford tell Sharpe about rockets and what do they see as they watch them being used?

2. What does Tippoo decide to do with Lawford and Sharpe after questioning them?

3. What does Hakeswill do when it comes his turn to be killed?

4. What do the rescuers find at the dungeon?

5. With whom does Sharpe fight and what plan of his does his fight prevent?

6. How does Sharpe get them out of the prison?

7. What do the British first do with their cannons to begin to breach Tippoo's wall?

8. How does Tippoo execute criminals and what does he do afterward?

9. What does Mary do when Rao decides to rescue McCandless and what does Kunwar Singh do?

10. What is Mary doing for work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Sharpe and Hakeswill. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities, and social skills.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of General Harris and Tippoo Sultan.

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Richard Sharpe, discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

Essay Topic 2

"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 3

Mary is the only woman in "Sharpe's Tiger" that has any role. She is an intelligent, resourceful and brave woman but, in the end, still needs the protection of a man.

1. Present and analyze the treatment of women in "Sharpe's Tiger".

2. Cornwell is trying to be historically accurate, so is his treatment of women in his book(s) justified?

3. Is there any way Cornwell could have presented women in a more positive light and still stayed historically accurate? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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