Mr. Kennedy

Read Chapter 1 (Pages 1-22) Post the answer to this question: What is your emotional response to this chapter; is anyone or anything tugging at your heartstrings? Right now, knowing what you do about the American Revolution, do you think you would agree with Sam or Mr. Meeker (Sam's Father)? Why? (Remember, you must always support your opinion with reasoning/evidence.)

Investigate your Wiki-Peers: go through the responses from students in both schools. See if you can find someone who has similar feelings. How many Redcoats would we have?

After reading comments by both groups of students I think I can fairly say that the relationship between Sam and his father is strained. This is not new in regard to men going to war. During the Vietnam conflict I was aware of many kitchen conversations similar to the one Sam and his father were having, the difference being that of a role reversal. As the Vietnam war dragged on many young men did not want to enlist and it was their fathers (many veterans of WWII) who argued from the side of patriotic duty. Go home tonight and explain chapter one to an adult in your home, ask them how they would feel if you were summoned up to fight in Iraq. Tell us their answer.

Mr. Meeker makes the following statement,"But you never get rid of injustices by fighting," to which Sam replies, "Either we're going to be free, or we're not." Explain how Mr. Meeker's comment is not just an argument against fighting England but against war in general. Then give your feedback on this chapter.

Chapter 3 (Pages 38 -46) Post the answers to these questions in the same box. Use A, B, C, D, E.
A. If you were in Tim's place, would you tell your father that Sam came back to Redding? Why or why not?
B. What is Betsy's role in the story so far and what do you think of her?
C.If you were living at the time of the American Revolution how would you fare?
D. Anything else about the chapter that you would like to share? (Mandatory)
E. Go to your compadres at St. Al's and find and interesting comment and tell us why you liked it. (3-5 sentences)

Within the first four chapters, the Revolutionary War served as a way to cause division among the common people. Divisions were made through the characters decisions of whether to remain loyal to England or to support the Patriots in their cause. Explain in detail the divisions in three sets of relationships. (Example: Tim and his father would be one set.)

Chapter 5:
1. In this chapter, Tim says the following, "The war had always seemed like a story---something that happened in some faraway place or faraway time, and didn't have anything to do with me." What happened that made Tim's feelings change?
2. Read the quote below, and respond to the following question. Tim learned that a war, even if far away, affects all people....the lines of ink across the map turning red. How is this true?
Borders are scratched across the hearts of men,
By strangers with a calm judicial pen.
And when the borders bleed, we watch with dread
The lines of ink across the map turn red.
----- Marya Mannes

2. Tim explains why his father is always polite to Mr. Heron, who seemed to be respected by many. What was your opinion, by the end of the chapter, of Mr. Heron? Explain.

Chapter 6:
1. What is your opinion of Tim's actions in this chapter? Do you trust Mr. Heron, who seems to be respected by many? What was your reaction to the scuffle between Betsy and Tim?
2. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

This chapter begins the symbolic journey of Tim's maturation and position in the war. Simultaneously, it lays the groundwork for Life's tragic end. When 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 had and that position has placed him and his son in great danger. The question is "When is war fair? In fact when is life fair?" When one belongs to a community, a village,or country does one have an obligation to partake in the affairs of others? What must the character Life do?

Chapter 9:
1. What do you think happened to Mr. Meeker? What impact will it have on Tim?
2. What is your emotional reaction to this chapter?
Chapter 10:
1. Explain Tim’s statement, “I still hadn’t figured out what he was fighting for. It 
seemed to me that we’d been free all along."

Chapter 11:
1. Mrs. Meeker begs Sam to come home after his father’s death. Sam refuses. 
Tim says that he realizes that his brother will never leave the army because 
he thinks he is part of something big. Explain what Tim means by “something 
big.”
2. What is your emotional reaction to this chapter?

Chapter 12:
1. Explain the statement, “In war the dead pay the debts for the living.”
2. Emotional reactions from you about this chapter?

Chapter 13:
1. Patrick Henry, a famous Patriot, said, “Give me liberty or give me death!” 
How might his words have inspired soldiers like Sam?
2. Emotional reactions from you?
3. Post your Patrick Henry Limerick!

Chapter 14:
1. What was the irony of Sam’s pending execution? How is this similar to the 
irony of what happened to Mr. Meeker?
2. Emotional reactions from you?

Epilogue:
1. What is your reaction to the statement, “But somehow, even fifty years later, I 
keep thinking that there might have been another way, besides war, to 
achieve the same end.” Do you think the United States could have become a 
nation without the Revolutionary War?
2. What is your opinion of the novel? This is to be a full page summary of the book and your opinion. You will start a special page for questions two, this page will be shared with all so make sure it is your best work.

I think that the book really showed how it was back then and that it was very informative. i liked this book a lot and i think that when he said that statement he meant that if the war never happened we wondered if everything would work out the same way that it did.