Johnny Tremain

How does the motif of Rab’s musket contribute to the theme of Self-Sacrifice for the Greater Good? Consider the character arcs of Pumpkin, Rab, and Johnny in your response.

In what ways is Johnny shaped by lessons in humility and empathy? What factors contribute to his initial pride, and how does he learn to place others before himself? How does this theme impact the story’s overall meaning?

Johnny befriends several individuals throughout the novel across political divisions. How do these friendships illustrate Johnny’s character development and contribute to the theme of Learning Humility and Empathy?

How does the motif of printing support the theme of Self-Sacrifice for the Greater Good? Who relies on Mr. Lorne’s printing office, and who opposes it? How does printing connect to the struggle for freedom?

Forbes uses imagery to capture the sights, sounds, and smells of Boston and its environs. How does she use visual, auditory, and olfactory imagery to present shifts in setting and mood over the course of the novel?

At the beginning of the novel, the Lyte cup is Johnny’s most prized possession. What does the cup symbolize? How does Johnny’s relationship with the cup and what it stands for shift over the course of the novel? Why does Johnny ultimately decide that he doesn’t want the cup, and how does this decision contribute to the protagonist’s character development and the novel’s overall meaning?

Why did Forbes choose Boston as the setting for her historical fiction novel? How does this setting shape the cast of characters, the novel’s structure, and the theme of Surviving in a Changing World?

One of the novel’s major themes is Self-Sacrifice for the Greater Good. Which characters make sacrifices, and what motivates these sacrifices? How does this theme contribute to the novel’s overall meaning?