Sharpe attempts to volunteer for the forlorn hope—the first wave of attackers in the assault—because he hopes to regain his rank as captain. Faced with the very real prospect of death or maiming, do you think you would volunteer for the forlorn hope in a similar situation?

Throughout the early portions of the novel Sharpe is personally devastated by his loss of rank and considers his own life secondary to regaining his prior rank. Do you think Sharpe is overly concerned with his own pride? Why or why not?

Both Hogan and Harper are Irish. Harper is vocally pro-Irish while Hogan is more retiring, but both men are loyal to Ireland. Of the two, which would you consider to be more truly Irish? Why?

Throughout the latter portion of the novel, Hakeswill is portrayed as increasingly unstable until Chapter 29 where...