Johnny Tremain Essay

Christian Rodriguez                                                                                                                         808

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

     Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes is about a young boy named Johnny Tremain who has been drafted for the civil war. After suffering so much before the actual civil war Johnny looses his best friends who were also drafted into the civil war which causes Johnny to lose it but he pulls through it. Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes shows how even through tough moments you still pull through it and that life is worth living. The author shows us how many challenges are thrown at us but that we should always keep trying.

     During the story we find out that Johnny's family isn't very wealthy as he is an apprentice to a blacksmith. During a regular day while he is working he accidentally burned his hand on the burner which caused him severe pain and the results were that he could barely use his hand. In the story Johnny says, "I know I got drafted father, I must carry on however and come back victorious with my life." However, when Johnny is going to the meet up with the rest of the people who got drafted in the army Johnny begins to feel judgmental as he doesn't know what to think anymore as he is beginning to panic. One day while they were camped they were awoken to a gunshot, Johnny and his pals were talking by the cabin they were stationed at and all of the sudden a cannon was fired and hit 2 of his best friends which were in Johnny's squadron, when this happens Johnny becomes furious and becomes determined to finish this war for once and for all and get it over with quickly and go home with his life.

    In addition to this, before Johnny was sent to war zone he is told his crippled hand can be fixed with a minor surgery, however since Johnny's family wasn't very wealthy they had to seek help from someone who had money to help support them. They found a wealthy business man named Mr. Lyte, Johnny explains that his family is related to Mr. Lyte after Mr. Lyte rejecting that they are both apart of the same family he asks for proof, Johnny then goes and gets a silver cup with the Lyte's family's coat of arms. Johnny was then assigned a new job which was to hand out a popular newspaper which was a Whig publication.

     In conclusion, Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes demonstrates how even when things get rough you still push through them and end up with better things at the end. Things may not look as good as they should be at the moment but they get better with a bit of work and determination. This book has a big significance as it could be a big influence to people who have issues with their family or even problems themselves. The author shows how things can get rough in life but how its worth living through them as life is worth something special.
 

Ashes by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Ashes by Susan Beth Pfeffer

    Ashes by Susan Beth Pfeffer is about a girl who has many problems with her family. From her parents getting divorced to Ashes' lack of trust towards her father. Not only that but her family has many issues starting with her father, he wants money to probably do bad things. Ashes has to deal with all the issues her parents face as they are divorced, the constant arguing is getting to her head. In addition to this her father can't keep promises which is making Ashes even more indecisive. Ashes by Susan Beth Pfeffer shows how many children's parents divorce causes teens to pick sides between parents.

    During the story Ashes is getting manipulated by her father getting told to take money from her mom and give it to him. Imagine getting told to steal something from your own family, this is why Ashes begins to doubt her fathers reasoning. While Ashes' is in the restaurant with her father he says, "She's a wonderful woman," he said. "But he she gets on idea and she never wants to change it." "What do you want me to do, Dad?" I asked. "Come into the apartment with me an take the money?" When she hears this question Ashes' begins to question what her dad is beginning to do from when her parents got divorced. Ashes' dad tries to sweet talk her into doing it by telling her shes "one in a million," and by taking her out to dinner. Ashes mother doesn't trust her father as she tells him he is not reliable. Ashes' father begins to manipulate her trying to get her to take the money. This is when Ashes' is forced to begin to pick sides between parents causing bad things to happen afterwards.

     In addition, her father can't keep promises. I know this because he wants the "best" for his daughter saying he will do his best yet he is trying to get Ashes' to do bad in front of her father showing how he isn't trust worthy or reliable towards his own family. Her mom begins to want Ashes' not to trust her father showing the bad example he is setting. Not only that but her father is lying to her saying that once he pays off two hundred dollars in a day or two he will have his finances straightened out. In the story it says, "No, I just thought you could borrow the money," he said. "Just for a day or two, until I straighten out all my finances." On the other hand her mother is trying to help her daughter Ashes by protecting her.

    Its not unusual to grow up without parents. Ashes has to decide whether to be loyal to her father or mother. This shows how relationships can be complicated even in families. I believe Ashes will choose her mother over her father as she is more caring and protective over her which could be a better thing than being mistreated by someone. I think this story has a big significance showing how difficult things may get in families but how they have to pull through. Susan Beth Pfeffer gets her point across clearly giving details on how and what issues the main character was facing at all times since the beginning of the story to the end. Even though Ashes was being manipulated she began to realize something was wrong at the end.