Question

In "Johnny Tremain", what is the cause of the animosity between James Otis and Samuel Adams?

pmiranda2857 · Accepted Answer

Their attitudes toward the revolution and why a war was necessary were different. Adams is angry and passionate, while Otis is reasonable and logical

Adams, it is suggested, may have wanted to start the Revolutionary War out of revenge toward the British. His family had suffered greatly because of the British Parliament. His anger is apparent in the way he words his posters and his approach to helping to inspire the colonists to rise against the inhuman British Empire.

James Otis, although Adams' friend, challenges his reasons for wanting to fight the war. Otis believes that the war should be about who governs America. Otis focuses on the natural rights of man.

While Adams is passionate and angry, Otis is a visionary who has idealistic views about the future of America.

Johnny's attitude towards his country develops from a combination of both Otis and Adams approach to the revolution.

karenmingledorff · Answer

Samuel Adams was a leader in the American Revolutiion. The attitude and treatment of the British government angered him. He felt that a tiny country across the ocean had no authority over the American colonies.

James Otis believed that Adams was jumping into a situation that could be avoided.