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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. Upon what does Rebecque give up?

2. Where do Sharpe and Harper travel with other officers and staff?

3. What large complexes are near where the British wait?

4. With what does the battle start?

5. What is von Bulow's Fourth corp supposed to do?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What explanations about British firing techniques are described in great detail in chapter 15?

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

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

6. What person and his position, provide a good example of dealing with incompetent superiors?

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

8. What is it about the British muskets that proves the beginning of the French's downfall?

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

10. What charge of heavy cavalry is described in Chapter 15 and what two roles do the horses have?

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 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 2

The military way of life is in and of itself similar to a distinct culture. Understanding how the military is organized, how it operates, and its basic rules of conduct will make any novel that centers on the military more understandable and enjoyable. Discuss one of the following:

1. Describe and analyze the military structure during the time of Sharpe's Waterloo. What is rank? What is the difference between officers and enlisted men? How serious is it to disobey an order? What happens if one decides he does not like being in the military and walks away? How are men conscripted? Does the infantry have a similar means of augmenting their ranks as the maritime action called "impressment"?

2. Compare the infantry of Sharpe's Waterloo to that of modern times in the United States, England or France. What are the similarities? The differences? Are the changes from those times improvements? Why or why not? (This question will require some research).

3. Discuss why you think the military has the following: uniforms, a rank structure of officers and enlisted, strict discipline, training for new recruits, court martial, and different types of companies (i.e., rifle, cavalry, artillery, etc). Discuss why you think men (and nowadays women) choose to become professional soldiers.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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