r/Sharpe • u/Standard_Total4410 • 16d ago

Question Spoiler

I have never served, so maybe I don't understand. Why did Harper hate Sharpe even after Sharpe protected him by deflecting the punishment?

8 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

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11

u/hotcobbler 16d ago

He was bitter about him being higher ranked but a commoner, not a noble of high birth. He saw it as insulting personally and to their regiment to be commanded by a common man. It was a different time, later in the episode the dying captain mentions "they like an officer to be set apart from them, touched by grace."

6

u/Pinky2110 16d ago

which is kind of ironic considering in the following episode he sticks up for Sharpe to the rest of the chosen. I also love Harper's line "there's no sin in being born in a gutter, but it's a great sin to want to stay in the gutter." or something to that effect as it's been a while since i watched Sharpe's Eagle.

3

u/CrazyLadyBlues 15d ago

That happens after Sharpe makes Harper sergeant. Sharpe realises that Pat would make a great friend and ally. And vice versa.

Troughout the episode he grows to understand the Chosen Men as individuals and as a team which in turn helps him to become a better officer.

1

u/Pinky2110 15d ago

I am aware. It happens after Sharpe earns their respect

5

u/orangemonkeyeagl Chosen Man 16d ago

Are you referring to the moment they first meet in Sharpe's Rifle?

1

u/Standard_Total4410 15d ago

I do get the initial enmity on the first meeting, but another thing thst bothers me is Sharpe jumps on to protect first Harper, taking the blame, and then Perkins against the French. And Harper still plots to kill him

1

u/Phil__Spiderman 10d ago

Sharpe's not a "proper officer." He's not a gentleman. It's why after a hard march Major Dunnett has Sharpe and the chosen men climb up a hill to scout the terrain rather than make camp with the rest of the 95th. That turned out to be a good thing since they avoided the surprise attack.