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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. In what does Sharpe say he is interested?

2. Why does Willsen know the name of the young Captain who speaks to him, though they haven't met?

3. What is Willsen's main concern about where he and Lavisser are going?

4. Who does Hocking think Sharpe is?

5. Who is initially shocked when Bang and Sharpe arrive at their destination?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sharpe come to be Skovaard's protector?

2. How does Sharpe deal with Hocking's two bodyguards?

3. Describe Sharpe and Baird's initial conversation.

4. How does Sharpe get to Copenhagen?

5. What does Pumphrey say to Sharpe in private?

6. Describe the approach of the British ships to the Danish shore.

7. What does Sharpe realize when he is hiding in the dunes, and who is searching for him?

8. Describe the encounter between Sharpe and Barker.

9. Why is Sharpe in his present circumstances?

10. How does Sharpe rescue Skovaard?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Good versus Evil. Both Barker and John Lavisser are shown to be "evil" characters.

The objective of this lesson is to look at good versus evil.

1. Class discussion. What is good? What is evil? Can good and evil both exist in the same person or situation? Who determines good and evil? In what ways can a "good" person act evil? What about an "evil" person acting good? How should evil be confronted? What can be done about evil? Is Sharpe all good versus Barker and Lavisser the "evil" character? Is life that simple? Is morality black and white? What are the "gray" areas in the scope of good versus evil?

2. Group work. In groups have students list ways in which Sharpe is perhaps not completely good. What of his actions could be considered evil, even if he is motivated for the good of all?

3. Class work. In class have students write an essay addressing the following question: Can good and bad exist together in the same person? Can a world be just good or just bad? When does "good" do harm? When does "bad" do good?

4. Homework. Students will choose one well known historical figure and write a paper comparing everything good and everything bad known about that person. The students might include personality traits, behaviors, actions, especially those which effected history, etc. The paper should include the student's opinion about whether the student would consider the person good or bad and how their traits compare to the characters in this play.

Essay Topic 2

Sharpe visits the orphanage master from the place where he was raised and kills the man, Hocking. He visits an orphanage in Copenhagen and is astounded by the differences between the two. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the two orphanages with as much information as is offered and by deducing other information by the context in the story. Why do you think the two countries have such different orphanages?

2. Research the treatment of orphans in England of the early 1800s and Denmark of the same period. Compare/contrast what you learn with what is presented in "Sharpe's Prey".

3. Research how orphans are treated today in England and/or Denmark. Compare/contrast that to how they are treated in the early 1800s. What do you think are the reasons for the differences between today and then? Which is more humane? Why?

4. Fully describe what you think is the ideal orphanage and why.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Sharpe's Prey". Consider the following: How does 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 Prey". 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 Prey"? Which theme in "Sharpe's Prey" speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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