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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 does Tippoo give Sharpe something?

2. With whom does Sharpe share a cell?

3. What do the British troops do at the end of this chapter?

4. What is Hakeswell's scheme?

5. Who is near Sharpe's discovery in the dungeon?

Short Essay Questions

1. Of what do the British and Tippoo's forces consist?

2. Where does Sharpe go after the ceremony, what does he find out and how does he feel about it?

3. How does Sharpe take care of the black-powder mine?

4. What does Lawford tell Sharpe about rockets and what do they see as they watch them being used?

5. What does Sharpe say to Lawford about the rockets?

6. With whom does Sharpe fight and what plan of his does his fight prevent?

7. What do Lawford, McCandless and Sharpe discuss in their cell?

8. What happens to Hakeswill as the British siege begins, who does he kill and why?

9. What does Hakeswill do when it comes his turn to be killed?

10. What does Tippoo hope as the British prepare to attack and what happens to that hope?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Sharpe's Tiger", like many and perhaps a majority of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Sharpe's Tiger" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Sharpe's Tiger" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. State what you think are three characteristics of a successful novel and whether or not "Sharpe's Tiger" in your opinion is a successful novel.

Essay Topic 2

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Sharpe and Hakeswill. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities, and social skills.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of General Harris and Tippoo Sultan.

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Richard Sharpe, discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

Essay Topic 3

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Richard Sharpe is no exception. Sharpe's legendary powers of military strategy is juxtaposed with his reputation as a womanizer. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze situations when Sharpe demonstrates his prodigious powers of military strategy. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Sharpe's character flaws offering specific examples of these flaws in your discussion.

3. Discuss how you think Sharpe's admirable traits helped him obtain a higher rank in the military despite his background as a child. Have his flaws impacted his career at all? Do any of those under his command seem to notice these flaws? Who? How does the reader know this?

(see the answer keys)

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