Topics for Discussion
1. Although Isannah Lapham is a minor character, what role does she play in the narrative? How can she be compared to her sister, Cilia?
2. At the conclusion of the story, Rab becomes one of the initial victims of the American Revolution. Why did Forbes decide to kill off a main character? Would the story be notably different if Rab survived?
3. In numerous ways, Johnny, Rab, and Cilia appear much older than their actual ages. What types of adult responsibilities do they handle? How does war cause young people to mature more quickly?
4. Forbes stated that she aimed to portray Johnny as a realistic and well-developed character. Did she achieve her goal? How does Johnny compare to boys his age in today's world?
5. Mr. Lapham predicts that Johnny will face consequences for his pride. Is Johnny's accident a result of misfortune, or is he responsible for it?
6. When Johnny rips the pages from the Lyte family Bible, he remarks, "This is the end. The end of one thing—the beginning of something else." What does he mean by this statement?
7. Any wartime death is tragic, but the passing of the redheaded soldier Pumpkin seems especially sorrowful. Why does the death of a British soldier deeply affect Johnny?
8. How do apprentices like Johnny and Rab manage to gather confidential information? How does Johnny Tremain serve as a tribute to the "unsung heroes" of the American Revolution?
9. Johnny struggles to find employment. Does the reader empathize with him? Is there a lesson the reader is meant to learn from his experiences?
10. What does James Otis mean when he asserts that the colonists are willing to fight so "that a man can stand up"? How does this statement become particularly meaningful for Johnny later on?
11. While delivering newspapers, Johnny gets to know some of the British soldiers better. How does he perceive them? What do these perceptions reveal about the "enemy"?
12. Is Johnny justified in attempting to form a relationship with the Lyte family? What impact, if any, might this have after the Revolutionary War?
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