Saturday, March 22, 2014

My Brother Sam is Dead



Summary

One day Sam comes to visit home from college and says that he is joining the revolution. His parents do don’t like what he is doing because they are Tory’s( are British people), although his  younger brother his wondering how fun it would be. Later on that day Sam tells his little brother that he is going to steal his fathers gun. Tim tries to convince him not to but he does and runs away.   After awhile since Sam left Father and Tim go off on a long journey Verplancks to get supplies to run the tavern. On their way back Father got kidnapped by the rebels. Although Tim reaches the house safely. The winters passes by and still no sign of father. One day The British troops march into the village take the people against them and kill others. A few hours later the rebellions march in and that is when him and Sam are reunited, although Sam goes on with the troops. After a few days Tim and his mother get news that father has died on a prison boat. Now that Tim is the man of the house he has to take care of the decision-making, that day the rebellions come back and Sam tells Tim to kill all the cows and hide the meat because people are going to steel them. Tim did not do that, and that night thieves came, but Tim followed them and got framed for steeling them. Tim was set for trial although Sam saved him and proved him of being innocent. To find out what happens next read the book to find out.       


What is the historical setting?


The historical war was during the American revolution from 1763 to 1772. In 1763 the British colonized America. Although in 1763 some people were inspired by the French revolution so people started to do their own revolution. In 1772 the leader of the revolution  George Washington lead the rebellions to victory. 


What was the effect of the historical setting on the characters? 


It effected Tim In many ways. The was his brother leaving to fight. The second effect was his father being kidnapped by the rebels. The third is when the Lobsterbacks came to his village and took the militia people and killed the others . It personally affected him because it made him grow up faster by him doing all the work because his dad and brother are not there.



It affected Sam because he was fighting in the war. Sam was always out of the house he had to see people die and people getting wounded. I am pretty sure he was really uncomfortable to see these things and live this way



It affected Father in many ways. The first effect is that his son is not at home and has the risk of being killed. The second reason is that the tavern prices are becoming higher and lots of stories about the war. The third reason that he was kidnapped by the rebels .



Who are the major characters?

Tim: Is a 15  year old boy who lives in the tavern that him and his parents own. Tim has one brother called Sam. He lives in a village called Reading which is a tory village. Tim is a very courageous boy that learns to be responsible and caring.

Sam: Is Tim’s brother, Sam is a college boy who goes Yale. Sam starts to believe with the revolution and goes of to fight. Sam is a very brave and dumb boy because he is brave to fight but is also dumb because he is going against his father.

Father: Fathers name is Life, he is very serious and doesn’t like to be told what to do. Father believes that he is a tory and that his son is very wrong. Father is very protective to his family and others.     


What are some of the author’s characterization techniques

The main character was developed by action. He was developed by action because when he was on a long trip with his dad, his dad got kidnapped. Instead he kept on going even though his dad might be dying, or tortured he said to himself that father would want me to get home to my mother.

  

From what point of view is the story told? How does that point of view help develop the main character?

This story is told by first person point of view. This Point of view helps develop the main character because he is telling you his felling’s and what is going on in his brain. This also helps me see what his perspective about the war is. Tim’s has a different perspective about the war compared to his fathers or Sam, he thinks that the war is a very fun thing loading your gun and fighting battles that is what Tim thinks about the war. Meanwhile father thinks that the war is a terrible idea and they will all die.


What is the them of the book

The Them of the book is never give up. That is the theme because when Tim was on along trip his father was kidnapped. Instead of crying and just sitting their waiting for his dad he kept on going to get the supplies that he has to his mother. I quote “ I started running and not stop until I reach home” that is what he said in the book


Reflection   


This is an  important book to read because it shows us how life was like for people during the revolutionary war. The so what of this book is what is the point and the point is to show people how life was like for a 15 year old boy during the war. I really liked this book because it had cliff hangers and always kept me engaged and not bored while reading, Although I did not like how this book ends. I would recommend this book to people who like history and crime, because it was talking a lot about that period and it had a lot of crime in it. Whoever reads this book should think and talk to someone about this to find out more information on that time and how did all start and how it all ended. I picture myself in this book as another child watching the events happen, watching them in fear or happiness or excitement. I would rate this book a 9/10 because there were no bad parts in the book it was all exiting and made me want to read more.


Five new vocabulary words 


Fusillade: A series of shots fired at once

Lobesterbacks: what they called the British army during the revolutionary war.

Subversion: The power of an associate or institution

Tavern:  A place that is a half bar half restaurant

 Sabbath: The rest you take at the end of the week

By: Fawaz Al Maasarani 






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