View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the Prince of Orange do to cover his embarrassment from the previous day?

2. What does Lord Rossendale say to the Life Guard officers?

3. What does Sharpe ponder also?

4. What is the result of the Prince of Orange's failure to order the Hanoverian line into squares?

5. Which men are posted to reinforce the garrison defending Hougoumont?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a major failure on the French part that leads to their ultimate defeat?

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

3. What does John Rossendale tell his fellow officers about the condition of his sword and pistol in Chapter 10?

4. What does Sharpe tell Rossendale during their encounter in the woods?

5. What happens to the British Heavy Cavalry unit with which John Rossendale is riding?

6. How does the author fit in a depiction of the Allied Forces in Chapter 13?

7. 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?

8. What is the difference between the disposition of the Allied Forces and the French in Chapter 13? For what does this afford the author an opportunity?

9. What makes Rossendale feel better about himself?

10. What does the author's placement of Sharpe in Chapter 14 do as a narrative device?

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

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 Rossendale. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities and social skills.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon.

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 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)

This section contains 1,159 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample