In the historical novel Johnny Tremain, Esther Forbes illustrates the life of a young teenage boy named Johnny Tremain, who overcomes several conflicts and undergoes new experiences. The book follows Johnny’s journey as he navigates the tumultuous times leading to the American Revolution. Set in Boston during the period 1773-1775, leading up to the Revolutionary War, Forbes captures the struggles and tensions between the Patriots and Loyalists, providing readers with a rich understanding of the political climate at that time. The story follows the abrupt accident of Johnny’s hand when Dove, another apprentice resentful of him, gives Johnny a cracked crucible that leaks molten silver, resulting in him badly burning his hand. The injury crushed his youthful pride, preventing him from being a silversmith. He no longer has a reason to stay in Lampham’s household. Without the care from the Lampham family, Johnny had to learn persistence and humility to accept new encounters. By overcoming obstacles that challenge his pride, Johnny becomes a dedicated Whig and decides to participate in the Boston Tea Party as a soldier.
This novel takes place in colonial Boston before and during the American Revolution. Several historical events serve as a backdrop for the story, including the Boston Tea Party, the Whig Party, and the Battles of Lexington and Concord. These occurrences not only shape the characters' lives but also highlight the tensions between the Patriots and Loyalists. For instance, the Boston Tea Party was a political protest against the British Parliament’s tax on tea. “No taxation without representation” was a political signal that expressed one of the primary grievances of the American Revolution. The colonists believed the taxes imposed on them were unconstitutional as they were not represented in the distant British government. Living along these events, Johnny was introduced to the larger world of a pre-revolutionary Boston politic by Rab—the Whig Party. As a historical novel, Forbes illustrates real historical heroes in the story. When the author writes about historical figures, everything is factual. However, there might not be Johnny Tremain in the historical event, but there were similar figures whose names we don’t know. For example, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, James Otis, and Doctor Joseph Warren are all existent American Patriots who participated in some events leading up to the Revolutionary War. At the closure, Johnny waits for Doctor Warren to repair his hand at least enough for him to fire the gun against the Redcoats in the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Through Johnny’s eyes, readers witness his transformation from a proud and talented silversmith apprentice to a brave and selfless patriot. His coming of age from 14 to 16 during 1773-1775 influenced his character as this session marked significant changes in the American colonies. From his participation in the Boston Tea Party to his involvement in the battles before the Revolutionary War, Johnny matures from an amateur to a devoted Patriot. After his accident that caused his crippled hand, he left his comfort zone in the Lapham household and took an adult's job. Throughout a series of rejections, Johnny learned to persevere despite difficulty in achieving success. He paid the cost of pride as he encountered obstacles and reached the low point of his life. From his acknowledgment of the world outside his comfortable bubble, Johnny gained a broader perspective and deeper understanding of the struggles faced by others. This newfound world helped him to overcome his emotional handicaps; he developed from an arrogant and selfish boy to an independent, humble, and generous young man. He is no longer a bully as he learned to forgive instead of revenge. However, the other two apprentices, Dove and Dusty, remain constant. They remained lazy as they stayed in the Lapham household. From another perspective assuming Johnny stayed with the Laphams, we can predict that he remains an arrogant boy unwilling to rein his quick temper or impulsive acts. In his refuge, he would marry Cilla and spend his life dully.
During his difficulties, Johnny obtained several friendly help from his friends, relatives, and even strangers. The long-time friend to whom he was once engaged before the injury, Cilla, still helped Johnny when he required. For instance, she did not belittle him when he struggled with his physical limitations. Cilla also assists Johnny in helping British soldiers desert and the Patriot cause as best she can from within the Tory house. When Johnny was looking for a new job, he met Mr. Lorne, his uncle who owns the shop that publishes the Boston Observer, a rebellious Whig newspaper. Furthermore, he also met Rab Silsbee, a member of the Whig, who offered a job to deliver the Boston Observer paper if he could find nothing else. When the sheriff arrested Johnny for the accusation of theft, Rab helped him regain his freedom as he knew Johnny was innocent and believed in his character. He cleared his name and continued his work for the Patriot cause with Rab's help. Being the first true friend and role model of Johnny, Rab became a guidance force in his life. Together, they fought for the rights and freedoms of the American colonies, determined to have a better future for their fellow Patriots.
Johnny Tremain paints the image of the chaotic and contentious world during 1773-1775. Focusing on Johnny’s actions and experiences, the author illustrates historical events while developing the character’s growth and resilience. Through Johnny’s journey, the reader discovers the essential events of history that serve as the foundation of the American Revolution. Readers witness the transformation of Johnny as he learns the importance of unity and sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom and friendship. Forbes skillfully weaves together personal and historical narratives, highlighting the impact of these events on Johnny’s development as a young patriot. For instance, Forbes wrote this novel during World War II, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. She noticed how young men are forced to grow up quickly in times of war, thus reflecting her observations of the young soldiers in World War II on the characters of her novel. Johnny Tremain, corresponding to the junior soldiers in her time —had to find his inner courage and become a buoyant individual in the face of adversity.
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