Fight For Freedom
Summary
11-year-old
Marcus is a positive boy with a comfortable and simple life with his family and
dog on their farm. He wishes to someday trace his father path of becoming a
soldier and protecting the people of Rome. Everything changes when a group of
men barge into his home, murder all his loved ones except for his mother who
they sell into the slave market along with Marcus. While trying to save his
mother, Marcus escapes and is forced to train to become a vicious gladiator and
to fight for his life. He struggles to go one, but he perseveres thinking only
of reuniting with his mother. Right before one of his battles, Marcus discovers
an immense secrete about his past. Will Marcus get through the battles? Does he
ever see his mother? Read to find out.
Time Period
Fight
for Freedom takes place in the Roman Empire time period. In the book, Marcus
was training to become a gladiator, and Caesar appears in one of the battles as
it states here: “No, Caesar interrupted. He shall fight with a dagger.”(P.231).
From research, I read that Julius Caesar has been involved in many gladiator
events, (but didn’t compete in them) and gladiator battles where around in that
time period. I also read that it was common for the people of Rome to buy and
sell slaves. In the book Marcus and his mother became slaves and where
auctioned in the market as stated by Marcus: “We won’t be slaves for long,
Mother. Decimus can’t do this to us.” (P.49). This evidence proofs that Fight
for Freedom took place during the Roman Empire time period when Julius Caesar
was around. The events in reality are very similar to what happened in the
book, except everything that happened to Marcus isn’t true, but could be base
of a real story. Most of the comparisons with the book and the real time period
are very accurately written in the book.
Girod, Christina. "gladiators." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
Sizgorich, Tom. "Julius
Caesar." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2014.
Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
Aldrete, Gregory S.
"employment and commerce in ancient Rome." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras.ABC-CLIO, 2014.
Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
Effect of Historical Setting
The
historical setting of Fight for Freedom has a huge impact on the story. It
changed the ways the characters are, the environment they are in, and the whole
plot of then story. The characters are affected by it because Marcus wanted to
be like his father, a centurion when he says: “Father wants me to be a soldier.
I see. Aristides nodded. And would you like that? I think so. Said Marcus.” (P.34),
which doesn’t exist today. Marcus wouldn’t be as curious and adventurous as he
would of if the book took place today since this generation isn’t as physical
as they used to be. The environment was also affected by the time period
because it took pace in ancient Rome, where there were gladiator arenas, like
they say: “Taurus turned to Marcus and Ferax and Gestured toward the arena.” (P.231),
less houses, and more conflicts than present day Rome. The whole story would
have changed since gladiators don’t exist today, slave trade, as they mention
here: “We won’t be slaves for long, Mother. Decimus can’t do this to us.” (P.49)
isn’t common anymore, and there are faster ways of transportation now. If the
book took place in another time period, it would be completely different.
Characters
The
main character in the book is Marcus Primus. He is an 11-year boy who always
wants to prove to his parents that he is skilled and can be independent when he
says: “My place is at your side, father. I can fight.” (P.13). He is confident,
since he stood up to a bully when the bully told Marcus: “At least I didn’t
faint like some girl. Ferax taunted. No, you didn’t. Marcus conceded. You just
sounded like one. (P.146), and liked to take risks. Marcus is also very caring
since he is willing to do anything to save his mother, the last family member
he has left.
The
author used a few of the characterization techniques on Marcus in Fight for
Freedom. Some of the technique he used is: Dialogue, since he can fight back
and stand up for himself as he did here: “At least I didn’t faint like some
girl. Ferax taunted. No, you didn’t. Marcus conceded. You just sounded like
one. (P.146). Another technique is Marcus owning a beloved dog who is also his
best friends. It shows that he is caring and loyal to his friends, and can get
very attached to them. There is evidence of this when they say: “Cerberus
dropped to the ground and lay on his side, his head in a puddle as the rain
splashed around his muzzle. Cerberus! Marcus called out in horror-but the dog
lay still. Marcus wanted to go to him, but Thermon’s men held him back.”
(P.42). Those where the characterization techniques that affected me the most.
Point Of View
Fight
for Freedom is told in 3rd person limited point of view. It is the
narrator who tells the story and isn’t a character in the book. The narrator is
only able to tell what Marcus is thinking and feeling. The point of view helps
develop the main character because you get to understand the way he thinks and
why he thinks like that. You also get to feel with Marcus when you know what he
is going through at certain times. Through out reading the book, you feel like
you and Marcus are the same person from how much you understand him.
Theme
Fight
for Freedom has more than one theme. The 3 mains themes of the book are: Facing
reality, coming of age, and family. One of the themes is coming of age since he
is entering his teenage years, but is being forced to grow up and be
responsible for himself. His father was murdered, and his mother was kidnapped,
so he doesn’t have any family to look after him. This theme brings me to facing
reality, which is very similar. Marcus is starting his real life. He doesn’t
have his parents to tell him what to do anymore; he is in charge of his own
life. Last but not least, the final theme is family. The whole story, what he
is trying to do is save his mother. He would do anything for her, which is what
lead him to his situation.
Reflection
Fight
for Freedom was by far the best book I’ve read this year. It teaches you to not
take your childhood for granted, and make the most of it. It is written out so
perfectly, and everything was planned so well. I liked how he had to train, and
work hard to succeed in his battles, and lose a few, not just be born talented
like some other books I’ve come across, because that makes it much more
realistic. I would like to continue the series since the 1st book
leaves you on a cliffhanger and I’m curious to what happens next. I would
really recommend this book to people who enjoy stories on the Julius Caesar
time period and like adventures books and battles. I would rate this book an
8.5/10. It was excellent but it didn’t give me the same spark as it didn’t with
other books like Harry Potter. I hope you can give the series a try.
Vocabulary
·
Unkempt:
Not neat or messy.
·
Sauntered:
To walk very slowly.
·
Elation:
Extremely happy or exited.
·
Expanse:
A huge area of something.
·
Livid: Ferociously angry.
Bibliography
Girod, Christina. "gladiators." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2014.
Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
Sizgorich, Tom. "Julius Caesar." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2014.
Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
Aldrete, Gregory S. "employment and commerce in ancient
Rome." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras.ABC-CLIO, 2014.
Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
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