Stephen

Christopher, Nicole, and Gabriella welcome to the wiki project. I am Stephen and will be working on this project such as yourselves commenting on the novel, "My Brother Sam is Dead".

Hi Stephen,
My class is pleased to be working with you! I'm looking forward to your comments.

After reading chapter one of "My Brother Sam is Dead" I believe that Mr. Meeker is correct because going to war just to have representation on a small tax is not worth the lives that would be lost. However my heartstrings were pulled when Sam said he was going to fight with his fellow patriots for the freedom he believed in.

When Mr. Meeker a war veteran says "But no injustice is solved by fighting" he is implying that no matter who wins the war a problem is still there such as how in the French & Indian War though Britain won the war they were low on supplies so they taxed the colonies creating the American Revolution. In chapter two I was surprised to learn that Sam was still in Redding and that he stole the Brown Bess(musket) from his father.

If I was summoned to fight in Iraq my mother would only let me go if it was for a good cause and my father would let me head to war if I truly wished to fight.

A. If I was in Tim's place I would tell my father that Sam was coming home to help relieve his stress knowing his son is not dead.B. Betsy is from a patriotic family and has a close friendship with Sam but also informs Tim if Sam is back, perhaps she is a spy?C. If I was living around the time of the revolution I would fare decently but still have trouble adjusting to the hectic lifestyle.D. There is not much to share about this chapter but the ending paragraph builds suspense.E. After reading Christine's answer I think that she made a good choice not to tell father that Sam is coming home. I also agree to her opinion of Betsy. However I believe she could have further explained her feelings on the chapter.

One division is between Mr. Meeker and Sam because Sam went to fight for the patriots even though his father is a loyalist. The second division is between Tim and Mr. Meeker because Tim wants to help one of the sides but his father will not help him aid any side. One last division is between Tim and Sam because Sam was reluctant to help Tim see if their father was alright.

1. Originally Tim believed that the war had not and never would affect his life until Sam and his company came to disarm the colonist of Redding nearly killing Mr. Meeker.2. The line "The lines of ink across the map become red" is true because there are lives lost and blood spilled to expand or maintain the borders of a country.3. After reading chapter five I felt that Mr. Heron is a Loyalist that helps Great Britain by sending the british army information on the movements of the Continental Army.

Good Craig, the lines of ink do run red and usually with the blood of young boys.

I feel Tim made an important decision for taking a job that could of possibly enforce the british army's agenda although it is against his beliefs. I feel that Mr. Heron is a rich and successful surveyor that is using his influence to positively affect the british army. The scuffle between Betsy and Tim will ruin their friendship and make it hard to find another job from Mr. Heron.

Neither war nor life is ever fair because one army might have superior weapons or numbers while in life someone may be at a disadvantage because of their social class. If you were in a community it is your obligation to partake in at least a few affairs of others otherwise it would not be different then not being a member. I think Life should either join the patriots or the British so even if one side still bothers him at least he has the protection of the other.

1. I think that Mr. Meeker may have been killed by the patriots because he is known as a tory and he may of insulted his captors leading to him being killed.
2. I was shocked that Mr. Meeker was captured and Tim was almost killed and robbed by cow boys who posed as an escort only to be scared off by a story and a barking dog.
3. Tim doesn't understand the point of fighting for "freedom" when he rather certain that he already has it and it is making life harder for everyone.

1. The irony of Sam's death was that he spent 3 years fighting for the Continentals only to be executed with dishonor from an accusation of stealing cattle when there was no evidence while his father died on a prison ship when he also was accused of a crime and imprisoned because of it.2. I found it disturbing that despite his military record Sam was killed in such a cruel manner and without any kind of respect for the dead.

1. I think the United states still could have been granted independence from Great Britain by continuing to be a member of the British empire and continuing trading with them and eventually the United States would be granted sovereignty for its loyalty and reliability and would remain Britain's ally.

1. Sam thinks that he is in 'something big' because he believes that he is fighting to bring freedom to the 13 colonies and fighting the British tyranny that him and his fellow american patriots were subjected to.2. I was shocked that Sam was going to re-enlist in the army even though his tour of duty was just about to end proving he is a loyal and devoted patriot willing to give his life for the Continental Army as a foot soldier.

1. To me "In war the dead pay for the debts for the living." means that people give their lives to pay for the decisions of those who are still alive so they can be free and thrive for themselves and their posterity hoping the past mistakes will not happen again.2. I feel that it was completely unfair that Sam was thrown into the encampment prison for being accused of stealing his own cattle! War can change people and their morals but I doubt Sam would do something so ludicrously low.

1. I think Sam was inspired by Patrick Henry because he was a patriot who fought for american freedom both with gun and sword but also with inspiring words for his fellow patriots regardless of the situation from a safe friendly town to the frenzied battle field.2. "Give me liberty, or give me death!" makes me think that the individual is ready to take up arms and fight for their rights with all they have with extreme valor and courage but most importantly they will not give up.

Craig, I am glad you liked the book. When you read, you read with emotion and zest, and that makes the work exciting. You had good thoughts and comments. Good job.