JOHNNY TREMAIN – CLASS NOTES
AUTHOR/BOOK NOTES
Author: Esther Forbes
1. Background
a. Grew up in Massachusetts
b. Liked to read and work with horses
c. Studied history – especially colonial history
2. Books she wrote
a. Paul Revere and the World He Lived In - Pulitzer Prize, 1943
b. Johnny Tremain -Newbery Medal, 1944
About the Book
1. Genre = Category of literature
a. Ex. Novel, poetry, fiction, non-fiction
b. Genre of Johnny Tremain = Historical fiction: a story with a true, historical setting
using characters that may not have been real
2. Setting = Time and place of the story
a. Place = Boston, Massachusetts
b. Time = Pre-Revolutionary War
Literary terms:
1. Onomatopoeia – words that sound like what they mean – ex. cling-clanged
2. Personification – giving human characteristics to something that is not human – ex. Boston
slowly opened its eyes; cool fingers of air (wind)
3. Simile – comparison using like or as – ex. Captain Bull’s hands were as large as a bunch of
bananas
4. Metaphor – comparison just stated without using like or as – ex. Captain Bull = baboon; scarlet
dragon = British soldiers; fireflies = musket fire
5. Foreshadowing – giving information about a significant event before it happens – ex. Mr. Lapham
said a dire punishment would come to Johnny because of his pride
6. Foil Characters – characters that contrast each other, which points out their differences – ex. Mr.
Lapham and John Hancock; Rab and Johnny
7. Theme – main idea of a story that appears throughout or in many places
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Changing of Johnny’s pride
Freedom for all men everywhere (a man can stand up)
Reactions of characters to Johnny’s hand
a. Madge – matter of fact description
b. Dorcas – elegant screech of horror
c. Mrs. Lapham – very untactful; says Johnny is ruined like a horse with sprung knees
d. Cilla – tried to be polite
e. Isannah – curious; has most hurtful words
f. Dove and Dusty – taunting and cruel; mock
g. Shop keepers – turned Johnny away
h. Johnny – realized he was crippled; shunned everyone
Johnny’s effect on others and his response from others
Person
Johnny’s effect on him
His response to Johnny
Dove
bitter because Johnny was better
gave Johnny the cracked crucible;
mocked his burn
Mr. Hancock
felt guilty because of not giving Johnny
a job and the burn
gave Johnny money
(Later, he gave Johnny trust in the
Sons of Liberty, but not out of guilt.)
Merchant Lyte
Johnny made him angry
accused Johnny of stealing; stole the
cup back
Rab
Rab was not changed at all by Johnny.
Rab helped Johnny in many ways
especially teaching him patience and
how to live with his burn.
Note these quotes!
1. “Even if they hang me . . . I will feel I have not lived in vain.” – Uncle Lorne
2. “Bright boy like Johnny just ruined! No more good than a horse with sprung knees!” – Mrs. Lapham
3. “True, Rab had died. Hundreds would die, but not the thing they died for.” - narrator
4. “Go away, Johnny, go away! I hate your hand.” - Isannah
5. “God is going to send you a dire punishment for your pride.” – Mr. Lapham
6. “We give all we have, lives, property, safety, skills . . . we fight, we die, for a simple thing. Only that a
man can stand up.” – James Otis
7. “As soon as the first shot is fired, no man of military age can possibly get out of Boston . . . It’s now or
never.” - Rab
8. “There’s a time for the casting of silver and a time for the casting of cannon. If that’s not in the Bible, it
should be.” – Paul Revere
9. “Lots of better men got shot today – Lexington – Concord . . . The British are sending boats back and
forth tonight, taking off their men from Charlestown. I can sneak along over with them.” - Johnny