For my historical fiction project, I chose “My Brother Sam is Dead” by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier to explore the American Revolution. This time period has always fascinated me.
The American Revolution was a conflict between the Patriots (Americans seeking independence from Britain) and the Loyalists (British and American supporters of Britain). It began with the first shot fired on April 19, 1775, during the battle of Lexington and Concord. The war officially ended with the Treaty of Paris on April 17, 1783. It took place in all thirteen colonies, with major battles in New York (such as Saratoga and Long Island) and Massachusetts (like Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill).
The causes of this war included events like the Boston Massacre, where American civilians clashed with British soldiers, as well as the implementation of the Intolerable Acts.
The Olive Branch Petition, a plea from the Continental Congress to King George III for the repeal of the Intolerable Act, ultimately backfired. Rather than appeasing the king, it only served to further enrage him and prompted his decision to send British troops to America. As a result, this action ignited the start of the American Revolution. In “My Brother Sam is Dead,” Tim and Sam Meeker are prominent characters residing in Redding, Connecticut. Tim Meeker, a self-assured 14-year-old boy, demonstrates unwavering loyalty towards his family.
Tim greatly admires and respects his older brother Sam, who enlisted in the continental army to fight against the Loyalists in the American Revolution. Despite being high-strung and 16 years old, Sam’s bravery inspired Tim. With Sam away at war, Tim had to take on additional responsibilities at their house and family tavern. These tasks required strength and endurance similar to those performed by Sam with their father. Consequently, Tim matured quickly and started behaving beyond his age.
Tim’s statement to Sam at the end of a chapter in “My Brother Sam is Dead” demonstrates Tim’s perception of himself as Sam’s equal, rather than his younger sibling. This illustrates the impact of the American Revolution on Tim, who witnessed the loss of his father and brother due to the war. These events shaped the main characters in the book and provide insight into the challenges faced during this period. The novel highlights the difficulties of living in the colonies during a war and emphasizes the hardships endured by soldiers. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to exploring more works by these authors!
Bibliography:
- “American Revolution.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Dec. 2012. Web. 30 Dec. 2012.
- Collier, James Lincoln, and Christopher Collier. My brother Sam is dead. New York: Four Winds, 1974.
- Davidson, James West., and Michael B. Stoff. The American nation . Upper Saddle River , NJ : Prentice Hall in Association with American Heritage ,2003.
- “My Brother Sam Is Dead.” SparkNotes,. SparkNotes,n.d..Web..December.thirtieth.,twenty twelve..
