Friendship From Unlikely Origins

The theme of friendship is an important element in Sharpe's Rifles. This theme is most evident in the two examples of Richard Sharpe and Patrick Harper and in Richard Sharpe and Don Blas Vivar. In both cases the friendship seems most unlikely.

Sharpe's first interaction with Harper occurs while Sharpe is still Quartermaster. Harper is a rifleman at the rank of private. He is best known for his popularity with the other men and his resentment of authority. The next significant interaction that Sharpe has with Harper occurs when Harper comes to deliver an ultimatum where the planned result of refusal of the ultimatum is the beating death of Sharpe. Sharpe proves to be a tough man to beat in any situation.

Sharpe's first interaction with Don Blas Vivar is when Vivar breaks up the fight between Sharpe and Harper. From there, Vivar makes it...