In April 1775 British soldiers, called lobsterbacks because of their red coats, and minutemen—the colonists' militia—
exchanged gunfire at Lexington
and Concord in Massachusetts. Described as “the shot heard round the world,” it signaled the start of the American Revolution and led to the creation of a new nation.
Why did Sam call the British Lobsterbacks?
Sam calls them the
“British”
(because, well, they hail from Britain) and the “Lobsterbacks.” It's pretty clear Sam isn't a fan of these guys. When Sam is done telling his quick story about beating the British, he sits down for some grub with his mom, dad, some local farmers, and Mr.
Why does mother act so calm when she hears that Sam is going to be executed?
Sam seems calm and somewhat hopeful that
Tim
might be able to help him in some way. Describe Mother's attitude after she learns Sam will be executed. Mother acts like nothing is going to happen to Sam. … Tim feels that Sam would want him at the execution so that he will not be alone.
Why do you think Tim couldn't answer the question about being a Tory or a patriot?
Indecisive Timmy: Picking Teams Just Isn't His Thing
For most of the book, Tim wants to steer clear of all this war mumbo-jumbo.
He doesn't want to pick between being a Patriot
(i.e, supporting freedom for the colonies) and being a Tory (i.e., being loyal to England).
Why can't Sam go to the tavern to defend his father when he is attacked by the rebel soldiers?
Why can't Sam help Tim and his parents against the Continental soldiers at the tavern?
Sam can't let anyone know he is in town because he left his regiment in order to visit and if found, he would be hanged as a deserter
.
How did Tim realize his father was in trouble?
Tim comes
to a space where the horse's tracks are surrounded and intermingled
with tracks of many other horses and then trail away on the road. Tim knows instantly that Father has been ambushed by the cowboys.
How did Mr Meeker respond when he was a loyalist?
Mr. Meeker refused because he wanted Tim to be safe and knew the letter was some important information on war. … Meeker was asked, “Are you a Loyalist?” He responded
by saying that he was interested in making a living not fighting a war.
Why does Tim say I decided that I wasn't going to be on anybody's side anymore?
Why does Tim say, “I decided that I wasn't going to be ‘on anybody's side any more'”?
Father died on a British prison ship, yet Father was a Tory. Tim had decided
that neither side was right.
What did Tim say made him feel like Sam's equal instead of his little brother?
As Tim says goodbye to his brother, he notes that
for the first time he knows that Sam is wrong about something
. Tim understands that despite Sam's hard soldier's life, Sam feels fulfilled by being part of something greater than himself. Tim suddenly feels like Sam's equal, not his little brother.
Why would the general make an example with Sam?
General Putnam will make an example of Sam and
does not care if he is guilty or not
. What does Colonel Read say is the reason that General Putnam will execute Sam? Sam comes from a Tory family, and he deserted his post.
Why does Tim's dad stop yelling at him?
Father
says no and stands angrily
, and suddenly he stops. Tim knows this is because Father drove Sam from the house by shouting, and does not want to drive Tim away too. Instead of shouting, Father asks Tim to stay uninvolved, and warns him of the prison ships into which the soldiers often throw children.
Why does Betsy hang around the tavern?
He does not like his chores, but Tim knows it is easier than farming. He still finds time to run off and play with Jerry Sanford. During this summer, Betsy Read hangs around the tavern a lot, trying
to listen to the conversations of
… More summaries and resources for teaching or studying My Brother Sam Is Dead.
Why does Tim become alarmed?
CH2: Why does Tim become alarmed?
Because he sees that Sam stole Bess and they make him promise to not tell his father
.
How do we know that father still loves Sam even though he has told him never to return as a soldier?
We know that Mr. Meeker still loves Sam even though he said never to return as a soldier
because the whole point of him saying that was to protect him from dying and to keep him safe
.
Where does Sam tell Tim he going and why did he come home?
Sam didn't want to help with the chores because he had his uniform on, which is what irritated Tim. What does Sam reveal to Tim about why he has really come home? Sam reveals to Tim that
the real reason he came was to get the Brown Bess.
What did Sam reveal about discipline among the rebel troops?
What did Sam reveal about discipline among the Rebel troops?
A lot of the men ran away from the troop so they can take a break
. Why did the people of Redding value their guns? So they can hunt and be prepared for war in Redding.
