Point of View

Sharpe's Prey is told by an omniscient and third-person narrator and comes primarily from the perspective of the protagonist Richard Sharpe. However, the narrator can and does access the thoughts of other characters, and he does so often at length.

The perspective of Sharpe gives the novel its predominant tone and voice. Richard Sharpe is a newly promoted officer in the British army. While he is new to being an officer, he is no stranger to the army, and Sharpe has seen many battles. He tends to view things in pragmatic terms, and during this particular time in his life he is still suffering from the loss of his beloved and their child. Sharpe's background as an impoverished orphan also colors his perspective. Sharpe's calm reserve in the face of danger and his understanding of the unfairness of the control by the rich and powerful governs...