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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 Sharpe do to the pistol?

2. Where do the Cuirassiers ride?

3. What is the Emperor's signal to start the battle?

4. Of what is Sharpe convinced?

5. What is a backdrop to the possibility of a battle in the morning?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the area where the retreating British army takes up a position in Chapter 10.

2. Why, on the third day, are the French still confident of victory?

3. How does D'Alembord's premonition show courage?

4. What new weapon is used, who invented it and why did the description of it stand out among other action scenes?

5. What is one of the most striking differences at the end of a battle and the disposition of the dead between that era and now?

6. What stops the French from pursuing the retreating British army?

7. By the end of Chapter 10 what do each of the characters in the story face?

8. What makes Rossendale feel better about himself?

9. What gross error in judgment and orders did the Prince of Orange make in Chapter 15?

10. What is the difference between Napoleon and the Duke in how they come before their men and how their men acknowledge them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Before the battle, civilians gathered to watch the fighting. Given war today, this seems a strange custom and dangerous. Nothing is written as to how the civilians of the losing army would be treated.

1. How often do you think "innocent" civilians are killed during a war or conflict?

2. Is it immoral to harm non-combatants during a conflict? What if those non-combatants support their government's policies about the war/conflict?

3. In WWII, the US government targeted two cities in Japan with atomic bombs. The targets were not military targets and the intent was to kill as many people as possible, no matter their age, sex, or status. Is this an acceptable way to end a war?

Essay Topic 2

Richard Sharpe is, in some ways, a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, both in this book and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't always succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Sharpe who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you have chosen that person. Illustrate your statements with examples from the text.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

During the four days of battle, the Prince of Orange made several egregious errors that killed a lot of men; yet, after the first error he was not removed from command.

1. Discuss why he was allowed to remain in command. Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. If the Prince of Orange had been a general in the U.S. military today, discuss what you think might be the various outcomes that could happen to him.

3. Do you think royalty should have been given so much power? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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