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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. Why are Sharpe and Harper visiting small English towns?

2. Where is the second battalion of Sharpe's regiment?

3. How are the recruits documented?

4. Who escapes while Sharpe is talking with Jane?

5. What does Sharpe and the other recruits do for the next few days?

Short Essay Questions

1. Under what names do Sharpe and Harper enlist and who enlists with them?

2. Where is Sharpe sent on a work party and what does he take the time to do?

3. Describe John Lynch, the training sergeant and his particular dislike.

4. How does Sharpe rescue Harper?

5. What are a couple of irregularities Sharpe notices about the recruiting Havercamp is doing?

6. What happens that makes Sharpe believe he can straighten out the problem with the second battalion?

7. What does Sharpe give Maggie and why?

8. Who is in charge of the training camp Havercamp takes them to and what is he like as a commander?

9. What does Lord Fenner suggests should be done about the South Essex's trouble?

10. When Sharpe presented at the royal gala, how does Sharpe present himself and how does the Prince feel about Sharpe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sharpe becomes entangled with Anne Camoynes in a sexual liaison and fails to question her motives for so engaging him. Anne indeed works as a spy and agent for Fenner and gathers information about Sharpe during their sexual escapade.

1. Why do you think Sharpe doesn't question Anne's motives in becoming involved with him? Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

2. It seems that to make Sharpe not question or see Anne's motives is a stretch of credibility. He was raised basically on the streets and has been in the military for many years. Discuss what you believe are the reasons a reader might believe Sharpe could be that gullible. Do you think the author should have addressed this weakness? Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

3. Anne hates Fenner yet reports to him Sharpe's stance on the second battalion and on his determination to pursue the issue. Discuss the conflicts in Anne's character and the lack of congruence between her emotions and her behavior. Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Usually the women in this series are background to the men and tend to fit a stereotype of women in this era of history. This book has a different type of woman, Dowager Countess Anne Camoynes, who is strong enough to survive her husband, leaving her in debt and intelligent enough to finally outwit Fenner.

1. Present and analyze the treatment of women in Dowager Countess Anne Camoynes.

2. Cornwell is trying to be historically accurate, so is his treatment of women in his book(s) justified?

3. Is there any way Cornwell could have presented women in a more positive light and still stayed historically accurate? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Crimping, while common, is illegal and obviously quite lucrative. Fenner and Simmerson have profited greatly from their scheme, as has Girdwood, but to a lesser degree. The three men are influential, powerful, and unlikely to give up this lucrative source of income easily.

1. Discuss the possible motives and benefits to being involved in a lucrative but illegal activity. Include in your discussion whether the benefits are worth the possible consequences and if the damage to one's character is worth the benefits. Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

2. The three men involved in the recruiting scheme are influential and powerful. Do you believe it is easier for that type of person to get away with criminal activity than the average person? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

3. After research, compare Fenner to a modern day American politician who has been cited for a scandal while in office. Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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