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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 does Jane discover?

2. How might the pace of the Prussian Major who is taking news to Brussels be described?

3. How many more rivers does Napoleon have to cross before reaching Brussels?

4. Why is the Prince of Orange enraged?

5. What does Napoleon do in the East?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one of the first blunders committed by the Prince of Orange?

2. Why is the Duchess of Richmond apprehensive about John Rossendale?

3. Who does Sharpe see as he leaves Wellington to return to the crossroads? What does he do?

4. How do the French feel about the outcome of the war and why haven't the Prussians come to help the British?

5. Why is the Duke of Wellington worried about his troops and what kinds of troops does he have?

6. What is Bonaparte thinking about as he sits in his coach near where the French come into Belgium?

7. Who is Sharpe's mother and in what wars has he fought? To whom is he attached now?

8. How does Sharpe mitigate a complete disaster with the battalions under French cavalry attack?

9. What type of technical details are seen in Chapter 8?

10. What do Sharpe and Harper do on the second night of battle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Sharpe's Waterloo. Consider the following: How do 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 Waterloo. 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 Waterloo? Which theme in Sharpe's Waterloo speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Honor is an important concept in Sharpe's Waterloo and in the life of those in the upper class during that era. It is assumed that those who are officers and gentlemen would keep their word after offering it.

1. Trace and analyze the theme of honor in Sharpe's Waterloo. What do you think Richard Sharpe would tell you is the definition of honor if you ask him? How about Harper? Rossendale? Do you think honor can be restored if it is lost? Does Rossendale bring back his honor by joining the suicide charge of the cavalry?

2. Respond to the following statement using specific examples from the book and your own experience: Honor is one of the most important character traits for anyone in any social strata. First, fully define the concept of honor. Then discuss whether you believe the preceding statement is true with specific examples from Sharpe's Waterloo and other books/films, etc. that you have read or experienced.

3. During the era in which Richard Sharpe lives, men could give their word on the basis of being a gentleman and it was assumed to be true. There was no such concept for a lady or anyone of lower social/economic groups. Fully discuss the implications in a society where only gentlemen would be considered trustworthy enough to give their word unquestioned.

Essay Topic 3

In any book centered around the military, leadership of the troops is often crucial with the better leaders able to command the respect and loyalty of their men. The men's willingness to follow a particular leader can have a decisive impact upon the success of a mission. Discuss the following:

1. Whose command style seems most effective? Analyze the elements of those effective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the good leaders. What makes an excellent leader/commander? Give examples.

2. Whose command style seems most ineffective? Analyze the elements of those ineffective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the poor leaders. What makes a poor leader/commander? Give examples.

3. Is disobeying a poor leader ever justifiable? Explain using details from the text, other books you have read and your personal experience. In times of war, disobeying an order can be punishable by death. Is this harsh sentence justifiable for such an act? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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