Character Analysis: My Brother Sam Is Dead

“You can’t be happy unless you’re free.” This simple, barely basic quote says it all- if people can not do as they please, how can they really be happy? The novel, My Brother Sam is Dead, focuses on the subject of war and how it changes the lives of the regular people. Both authors do a great job of seeing the wrongness done on both sides and the need for war when the people are fighting for their freedom. Throughout the story, the authors come convincing conclusion that while war is never the best option, sometimes war is the only option in order to get what’s right.
One of the themes in the novel is the subject of clashing ideals. The main character of the novel, Tim, lives in a divided family who each has their own opinion on the war– the

main family conflict being between Sam and Mr. Meeker. While Mr. Meeker shares his insight on why he’s a Loyalist, Sam proudly proclaims why he’s a Patriot. A big way of showing what the author (or authors, in this case) really supports is how he presents his arguments on both sides. While the authors have compelling arguments on both sides, most of the Loyalist quotes are just against death. Death, of course, is bad, but the Patriots really get to put their point across about why having a war is worth the deaths. A war makes deaths, but it also makes heros, and that’s what really is important. “‘It’s worth dying to be free.’” Sam tells the family at one point in the story (Collier and Collier 7). He also points out– “‘It’s not the money, it’s the principle.’” (Collier and Collier 21). In these parts of the story, Sam is really getting the point across that while people may die now, it’ll be better in the long run. It’s not about how much money there is, but about how it affects what the people’s purpose and beliefs. Even though war is tough, it will be for the best. Throughout the novel, Mr. Meeker refuses to believe it, and influences his son not to either, when really Sam was right all along. “Free of British domination, the nation has prospered and I along with it.” the book states (Collier and Collier 211). “In war the dead pay the debts of the living. . .” (Collier and Collier 211) – People will die regardless; these people just died heroes.
Another important theme in the novel is understanding the differences throughout generations.

In the story, the arguments mostly go between Sam and his father, Mr. Meeker. Both have different veiws from their own expirence and what the main ideals from their generation were. However, times have changed since Mr. Meeker was a young man, and what was right at his time isn’t nessesairly right anymore. Britian doesn’t treat the colonies how they did back in Mr. Meeker’s days. “‘You get the wrong idea from Redding, sir. There’s a lot more Tories in this part of Connecticut than in the rest of teh colonies. In New Haven there aren’t so many Loyalists and in some towns there aren’t any at all.’” (Collier and Collier 6). Sam tells this to Mr. Beach and his father when they say that not that many people want to fight. They may know a lot, but they don’t get around as much as Sam does. Being old may make someone wise, but that’s by reminesing, not by knowing everything. Mr. Meeker is headstrong, like Sam, but in a bad way by being stubborn. He can’t except that he isn’t always right. It’s a different time than when he grew up, and he doesn’t know everything he thinks he does anymore. “‘A man? You’re a boy, Sam, a boy dressed up in a gaudy soldier’s suit.’” Father yells at Sam (Collier and Collier 22). Just because Father’s older doesn’t mean he knows everything. Sam tries to tell it like it is, but Father won’t believe it because he’s older and the man of the house. “‘He said Sam was

too smart a boy to be fooled by sedition.’” (Collier and Collier 102) Ezekiel confesses to Tim on the way to Verplanks Point. Even in the distant family, Sam has been discussed and frowned upon because he doesn’t follow the family Loyalist take on everything. Sam should be allowed to take his own opinion, for one. It’s the elders against the youngsters, but everybody seems to forget this is the world now.
In addition to that, there is the whole portrayal of the character of Sam and Patriotism.

James and Christopher Collier made Sam how he is for a reason– not only to portray what it meant to be a soldier but the whole American troops in general. As a reader in the eyes of Tim, Sam’s little brother, we get to explore most of his sides, including his faults and triumphs. “‘The boy has to learn a lesson, he’s far too headstrong.’” (Collier and Collier 87), Mr. Meeker points out at a point in the story. While Sam may be headstrong, a better word for him would be determined. Since the beginning, Sam has always strived to get what he wants and would even go as far as to declare an ultimatum. Sam shows that the American troops were serious about what they were doing in the way he acts about going to war. He even goes as far as to steal the Brown Bess while his family is at church in order to help out what he really believes. “Sam was a triumphant person. He always had some victories to tell whenever he came home from college.” (Collier and Collier 11) . This quote shows two main things about Sam– for one, he’s smart. Unlike most people that age, Sam is going to college and quickly learning important politcial information there. He was able to see the bad injustices that were able to convice him to become a Patriot. You also can see Sam likes to win– he would not just join a side so he could could lose. The story goes on to say he was good at debates and always scored ‘telling

points’, meaning Sam was witty and always seemed to think on his toes. In the story, Sam is also very admired for all his traits, and this shows that he must be a very brave, good, smart person in ordder for so many people to envy him. “‘My duty to my country comes first. . .’” (Collier and Collier 161) and “‘. . . not to quit until the Redcoats are beaten. We’ve made a pledge to each other.’”(Collier and Collier 161) are quotes that show that even though Sam is not loyal to his King, he’s still a loyal person to his ideals. He still has the virtue of loyalty, and is willing to believe his country will ultimatley win the war. “‘I think you’ll see that loyalty is a virtue everywhere.’” (Collier and Collier 6). Said by Mr. Beach himself, Sam is still a good, admirable person. Even more so after joining the war, for his selflessness and his heroic attributes. To the survivors, and for the next generations, he will be a hero.
James Lincoln and Christopher Collier both agree war is nessesary to get what you deserve. Freedom isn’t free! You cn see they support this message in the way they show Sam’s heroic ideals, his fight to prove his family what’s right, and his brave, loyal character. “‘Render therefore unto Ceasar the things that are Caesar's’”, it states in My Brother Sam Is Dead (Collier & Collier 28.) Every man deserves freedom, even if it comes at a price.