Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
The story Johnny Tremain is a fictionalized account of life during theAmerican Revolutionary War. Johnny Tremain was not a real boy but mighthave been. The main character, Johnny Tremain, is 14 at the opening of thebook. He is an indentured servant to a silversmith by the name of Mr.Lapham. Being an indentured servant meant that he was nearly a slave butwould learn a trade, and he would be free when his seven years of servicewere up. The Lapham's children are four girls --Dorcas and Madge, botholder than him, Cilla, who seems to have a crush on Johnny, and Isannah, Johnny lives in the Lapham's attic with other indentured servantsincluding Dove, who is older than him but not as talented, and DustyMiller. Johnny had a middle name -- Lyte -- and suspects he is related tothe wealthy Lyte family of Boston, but does not know for sure. The Laphamsalso had children of their own. John Hancock, a real person in history, isgiven a role in this story, and as he orders silver from Mr. Lapham itcomes out that Mr. Lapham does not approve of Hancock's activities against In the story, Johnny meets a variety of famous historical figures.Paul Revere was a silversmith as well a
But instead he splurges on fine food, new shoes and gifts for theyounger Lapham girls. It is possible that Dove caused theaccident on purpose, but not completely clear. Unfortunately, the Laphams havereason s to not defend Johnny, even though they could. Hedecides he must do what his mother told him to do only as a last resort,and seek out Mr. Lapham understands the importance of an order fromJohn Hancock and covers for him so he can work on Sunday. Unfortunately forJohnny, probably due to his long hours, he burns his hand badly with meltedhot silver, and his hand is deformed. He treats the other indentured servantsin Lapham's shop quite badly, calling them a lot of names. He finds out whetherthe British will be attacking by land or by sea, and makes sure thelanterns are hung in the church spire so Paul Revere can make his famousride to gather the militia men to fight them. Although Johnny never states it, he learns through all this thatnames can only mean so much, and that the real measure of who he is is whathe decides is important enough to take a stand for. Johnny goes on through the book, angering some people and beingbefriended by others. Johnny inherits a rifle from his friend Rab when Rab dies ofbattle wounds, and Johnny joins the war. Rab, who has befriended Johnny, brings him things in jail andtestifies that Johnny didn't steal the coat Rab had lent him to meet Mr.
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Acceptance Essays
