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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 type of major assault do Nairn's troops participate?

2. What nationality is Harper?

3. Of what are Sharpe and Frederickson accused?

4. What does Jane want Sharpe to do at the beginning of the novel?

5. What does the man from question #35 do with Napoleon's treasure?

Short Essay Questions

1. To what company is Frederickson attached, what is Sharpe's position in that company and who else of Sharpe's acquaintance joins the company? What event does this enable?

2. Who leads the Nairn men into battle and what does he realize?

3. Of what does Part I in this novel consist and what does Part I serve to do in the novel's narrative arc?

4. What are the British organizing to do in the beginning of this book and what has occurred in their military campaign that motivates this?

5. What do Sharpe and Frederickson find at the guard post in Bordeaux?

6. In the opening of Chapter 4, what is happening with the British troops following the abdication of Napoleon?

7. What is Sharpe's and Frederickson's plan for leaving Bordeaux?

8. What does Lassan's mother want him to do and how does he feel about it?

9. What do the British at Toulouse learn after the battle about Napoleon?

10. What does Henri Lassan do after the war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The court proceedings in Chapter 5 are a major turning point in the novel; at a stroke Sharpe ceases being a wealthy military hero and commences his life as a penniless fugitive from justice. The parallel development of Sharpe's and Frederickson's demeanors during the proceedings is interesting.

1. Compare and contrast the differences between Frederickson's reactions and Sharpe's reactions at being charged with a crime neither committed.

2. If one was an elitist and believed that whoever is born into a wealthier or more refined family will behave better in almost any circumstance, the demeanors of Frederickson and Sharpe under the proceedings would support that supposition. Discuss this statement using examples from the book to support your opinion as to whether a person born into a certain strata of society will react differently than one born far above or "beneath" him or her.

3. Discuss how you believe you would behave and what you would do if you were in Sharpe's position compared to what he did.

Essay Topic 2

In any book centered around the military, leadership of the troops is often crucial with the better leaders able to command the respect and loyalty of their men. The men's willingness to follow a particular leader can have a decisive impact upon the success of a mission. Discuss the following:

1. Whose command style seems most effective? Analyze the elements of those effective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the good leaders. What makes an excellent leader/commander? Give examples.

2. Whose command style seems most ineffective? Analyze the elements of those ineffective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the poor leaders. What makes a poor leader/commander? Give examples.

3. Is disobeying a poor leader ever justifiable? Explain using details from the text, other books you have read and your personal experience. In times of war, disobeying an order can be punishable by death. Is this harsh sentence justifiable for such an act? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Frederickson develops unrequitec feelings for Lucille and continues to rehabilitate her estate. On Sharpe's suggestion, Frederickson finally proposes marriage and is gently but firmly rebuffed. He thereafter departs to pursue Ducos on his own.

1. In psychology, there is a cliche called the "geographic cure" which means that for some people the best way to get over a bad love affair or some other negative circumstances is to move. Discuss how this relates to Frederickson leaving Lucille's house. Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Do you think it is better to face a problem head on or to just go away without solving a problem? Why or why not?

3. Write about an incident in your life or in the life of someone you know where the "geographic cure" was used.

(see the answer keys)

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