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1. How is Harper treating Sharpe's leg at the beginning of the novel?

At the beginning of the novel, Sharpe has his injured leg stretched out while his friend Harper cleans an open wound with maggots.

2. What makes Sharpe different from other officers?

Lieutenant Richard Sharpe has been promoted from the enlisted ranks to his officer's commission instead of getting it because of his family's social class. In fact, Sharpe had been a destitute orphan before joining the army. This makes Sharpe distinct from all other officers and causes him to resent some of the more entitled but incompetent officers with whom he serves.

3. Why does Sharpe resent men like Simmerson?

Sharpe resents men like Simmerson because, unlike him, their wealth and upbringing has allowed them to buy their rank rather than work for it. These officers rarely have military experience and though Sharpe often has to answer to them, their incompetence puts both him and his men into unnecessary danger.

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