How Does Johnny Tremain Change

Nothing in life is permanent, everything one day will have to change. A basic necessity of life, change is the fuel that keeps our society moving. In the novel Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain, a fourteen-year-old boy gifted in craftsmanship, experiences changes in all aspects of his life. From a crippled hand to fighting against the British for his country's independence, war transforms Johnny Tremain from a selfish child into a patriotic hero. As the war relentlessly continues, Johnny learns the effects that it has on him as he must focus on the real issue rather than centering around his individual concerns. By reading this novel, we can learn from Johnny how in times of conflict, young men like him must mature into men who

are willing to not only fight for their fate, but also for their brothers and their nation’s future.
At the beginning of the story, fourteen-year-old Johnny Tremain, a skilled apprentice of Boston silversmith Ephraim Lapham is seen as an arrogant, self-centered, and ambitious boy. Eager to help Mr. Lapham complete his job, Johnny begins creating John Hancock’s ordered sugar basin. While casting the elaborate wax model in silver, Johnny’s hand becomes disfigured from a prank caused by one of the younger appetencies, Dove. Infuriated by Dove’s impudence and his inability to continue as a silversmith, Johnny roams around Boston in anger and swears only revenge against Dove. Soon, Johnny’s quick temper and impulsive actions lead to problems with Mrs. Lapham business negotiations with Mr. Tweedie, which ultimately leads up to Johnny losing his status in the Lapham household. With a crippled hand and no job, Johnny allows himself only to feel self-pity and despair. Resorting to dangerous measures, Johnny almost loses all hopes of an honest life when he almost turns to crime.