Connetor: Chapters 6-11

After reading chapters 6-11, I found a lot of connections and “ah hah!” moments between the characters in the novel.

Chapter 6
Tim has a solid alibi, now he just needs an opportunity to speak to Mr. Heron without his father seeing him. The chance comes two days later when Heron comes into the tavern to buy a keg of rum.
Susannah: "Tim will bring it (keg of rum) right over, Mr. Heron."
Mr. Heron wisely questions Tim when he asks to be a messenger.
Mr. Heron: "Aha, your father changed his mind, did he?"
Tim: "Yes, sir, he said it would be all right so long as he didn't know anything about it."
Mr. Heron: "That's a lie isn't it Tim?"
Tim: "Yes, sir, I'd like to go, though. Aren't we supposed to be loyal to the King?"
Mr. Heron: "You've got your brother's spirit, haven't you?"
Tim is thrilled to be compared with Sam; "I'm as brave as he is" is his response. The thrill and excitement of contributing to the war has overtaken him and though he is aware that he is being dishonorable to his father, a shot at "glory" is more important to him.
I noticed lot connections here between Tim and Sam in this chapter:
• Rebelliousness
• Thirst for Glory
• Ignorance of Danger
In this chapter, Tim whistles the patriotic "Yankee Doodle" on his way to Mr. Heron's, which is comical because in order to get the job he did his best to convince Mr. Heron that he's a strong Loyalist. Very similar to Sam wearing red and calling the British "Lobster backs". Another connection between Sam and Tim.

Chapter 7
In this chapter, Life states: "I'm interested in making a living, not fighting a war." He is exposing a theme in the novel, which is the unfairness of war. Life is simply a man that wants to live his life as he always has and that position has placed him and his son in great danger. This quote reminded me of most of the people who are against the war on terrorism today. Even though people disapproved of President Obama’s increase of soldiers in Iraq, their lives are still affected by the war and can’t change it. Even if they only want to “make a living”.

Chapter 8
In this chapter, Tim's conversation with his cousin Ezekiel highlights that fact that the war and whose right still troubles him. Ezekiel criticizes Sam for joining the Rebel forces, and Tim stands up for Sam. Ezekiel asks Tim which side he would fight for if he had to, and Tim replies, "The loyalist, I guess." As he falls asleep, though, he imagines the horror of finding himself pitted in battle against Sam.
I didn’t find any connections here; I just felt a sense of indecisiveness for Tim. How can he choose between his father and his brother?

Chapter 9
The method Tim employs to outsmart the bandits is innovative and witty, a plan that neither Sam nor his Father would have come up with. But he has saved his family's goods, he has acted bravely and smartly, and he has a great story to tell Sam. This is another connection between Tim and Sam. Sam always has the “telling points” or stories to tell Tim about his dangerous actions. Now another connection between the brothers; Tim now has “telling points”.

Chapter 10
"The whole thing really made me feel pretty sick, working that hard from sunrise to sunset and never being able to get ahead. But there was nothing we could do about it except to pray every night that the war would end soon, and Father and Sam would come home again." (Tim)
During this chapter, the authors made the connection easy. During the American Revolution, two financial burdens businesses were faced with during the Revolution via Tim's narration about the tavern (commissary notes) and the store (paper money). Basically, during the war, the economy faced inflation. Very similar to our current economy due to another war. A lot of businesses had to close because of the financial burden this current war has put on our economy. Almost every plaza I drive by, I see a sign stating the store is no longer in business.

Chapter 11
In this chapter, I see connections between Tim as a boy and Tim becoming a man. He has real responsibilities and worries, and bothers less with his worries about sin. He begins to think most about taking care of the tavern, and stops thinking so much about God. Anglican principles, such as not working on Sundays, seem unimportant compared to the more immediate fears of starvation and poverty. It is not that Tim squelches his guilt; he does not even feel guilty to begin with. The Meeker business becomes Tim's responsibility, and he speaks with a new responsibility and interest about running it. He puts aside his childish way of grudgingly doing chores at the last minute and leaving the greater decisions to his parents.

Discussion Director Chapters 1-5

1. How would you react if yone of you fmaily members was dressed in a uniform representing your enemy?

2. Would you go against your families' beliefs against the Churst of England and fight for the opposing side? Why or why not?

3. How would you feel if your decisions were caught between the brother you look up to and your beliefs of the church(and your father's) regarding the war?

4. Do you think Sam's approach to helping father escape Father escape the fury of the Rebel soldiers was the best way? What could he have done instead?

5. What were you thinking about when Tim was trying to disarm Sam's gun while he was sleeping?

6. Do you think Tim has a desperation to participate based on Sam's opinions and respect? Does thins remind you of a situtation in your life where you felt like this?