Student Question

In "The Bronze Bow," what impossible task are Joel, Daniel, and Thacia hoping to accomplish?

Quick answer:

Joel, Daniel, and Thacia hope to achieve the seemingly impossible task of freeing the Jewish people from Roman oppression. They vow to fight for Israel's liberation, inspired by a scripture passage about bending a bronze bow, symbolizing divine strength enabling them to achieve the impossible. Initially, they believe this means defeating Rome, but ultimately, Daniel discovers the true challenge is overcoming his hatred, which he achieves through love and Jesus' teachings.

Expert Answers

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The three young friends make a vow in chapter 7 to fight for God's victory. By this they mean to free the Jewish people from the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire. While Daniel is recuperating from the wound he received from a Roman soldier, he explains his family background to Joel and Malthace. Daniel's father and uncle were crucified by Romans under completely unjust circumstances. Joel and Malthace sympathize. Joel says, "Your father is only one—out of thousands who have died at their hands. We must do anything—anything to make the country free again."

They then "swear to fight for Israel." Daniel is convinced that Rosh is the person who will deliver Israel from the hands of their oppressors, so Joel agrees to be Rosh's "man here in Capernaum." When trying to decide what sign to use if Daniel needs to get a message to Joel from Rosh, they agree on using the bronze bow as a symbol. The idea comes from the passage of scripture Joel had shared previously. Daniel likes the part that says, "He trains my hands for war." Thacia, however, focuses in on the rest of the idea: "so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze." She interprets it to mean that "when God strengthens us we can do something that seems impossible." At that point they are all thinking that the impossible thing is throwing off Roman rule. What can three young people do to overcome the power of an entire Empire?

As the story unfolds, Speare reveals that the even more impossible thing for Daniel is overcoming his hatred of and thirst for revenge against the Romans. By the end of the novel, he discovers that with Jesus' help and through love, he can "bend a bow of bronze" and give up the hate that has consumed him.

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