Oliver Wiswell

The narrator of a book plays an essential role in the understanding for a reader. It is there duty to tell their story without hampering the truth. They are the ones that are in control. As a result, the narrator must be unbiased so that they can provide the most honest account of the experiences. Oliver Wiswell, by Kenneth Roberts, is a story written in the uncommon perspective of a British loyalist. But due to his dependence on his father, and his emotions and personal experience getting in the way of his thinking, Oliver Wiswell cannot be trusted for his own narration.
Oliver’s father, Seaton Wiswell, has a great impact on his decisions and thoughts. He was looked up to by Oliver, and Daniel Dulaney, one of Seaton’s colleagues, was bragged

about by Oliver when Dulaney wrote that “he [Seaton Wiswell] was endowed with foresight as were the majority with his generation with hindsight.” (Roberts 3) It inferred that Oliver saw his dad as was one of the smartest men of his generation, and there was no one like him.

During a short discussion with Oliver’s dad about how battles were won, his dad said that “battles are decided by luck,” but Oliver thought otherwise and was “sure battles were won by generalship; not luck.” (Roberts 83) Because of Oliver’s feelings of how great his father was, he didn’t dare to question him; therefore, Oliver didn’t comment against his dad over their differences in opinion. Oliver’s veneration for his dad and willingness to please him proves how loyal he is, but Oliver’s obedience is not solely responsible for his own opinions; it is also Seaton Wiswell’s decisions that he makes for Oliver that causes him to become less trustworthy too. One instance,

for example, was when Seaton sent Oliver “to Yale to study under [John] Trumbull” (Roberts 3) after he had “attacked his own and other American colleges for deriding polite literature and English grammar.” (Roberts 3) It is assumed that because of John Trumbull’s support for British culture, it was the main reason why Seaton would have chosen his son to go learn how to write history truthfully under him. Knowing that Seaton Wiswell was a supporter of the British, he would have never wanted Oliver to go learn under a rebel because he wanted his son to stick to British roots. Oliver’s instinct to follow his dad caused him to be naïve. He often lacked understanding of what was going on at the time; for that reason, Oliver frequently resorted to his dad for his guidance, which usually led him deeper into becoming more one-sided and indecisive. A time when Oliver has exhibited to this sort of behavior was during the aftermath of the conflict between him and the Leightons. Seaton explained to Oliver that the “Leightons hate the oppressive measures inflicted by England” and “they also hate England,” but the Wiswell don’t. And because “their hatred of England makes them see everything English is wrong, that same hatred of England makes them hate us [The Wiswells].” (Roberts 35) Experiences like the conflict between Oliver and the Leightons will only make Oliver’s emotions grow stronger, and with his father’s influence, it will only make his opinions more biased and less trustworthy.
From Oliver’s personal experiences, it made him view more things on one side.

Oliver’s emotions, primarily anger, began to grow after the rebel mob evicted him and his sick dad out of his own home. Afterwards, the emotions of Oliver began to take control over him, and his words, feelings, and bias began to show. He described himself, at the time of his eviction, to be “in an icy rage at the witless cruelty of these misguided dolts, who were torturing a man who had proved himself as indomitable.” (Roberts 47) Oliver was obviously angry at the mob from his choice of words, which caused his judgement and way of thinking to become misguided too; therefore, it made him a less trustworthy because he wasn’t thinking straight and allowed his feelings to dictate the way he was narrating. Also, if Oliver wished to write about the truth, he would have to have a reasonable and unbiased mindset. How would Oliver be able to be truthful if he was in an “icy rage” with the “witless cruelty” of the “misguided dolts?” Oliver’s word choice used against the rebel mob belied his wishes to become a truthful writer. He let his personal experience and emotions get in the way of his

intentions.
Although it is evident that Oliver’s candor is untruthful. There are moments where one can trust what he says. Oliver Wiswell, despite being a strong adherent to his father opinions, shows some of his father’s traits as a sensible man who can tell right from wrong. Seaton “wouldn’t care to shoot [his] own townsmen over a difference of opinion about politics.” (Roberts 43) Mr. Wiswell’s belief of not letting politics be a reason for hatred is portrayed by Oliver with his relationship with Sally. Oliver does a good job of trying to do what’s right, and he has very noble intentions but lacks the skillset to take action. Oliver Wiswell is a caring son. He always wants what is best for his father and tries to do what is best for him but rarely achieves it. That is why Thomas Buell was there for him because he had the skillset but didn’t have as good intentions as Oliver did. As their relationship progressed, both men learned from each other, gaining the skills to accomplish the intentions and vice-versa.
It is important to notice the narrator’s emotions, bias, and background history to know whether or not they are telling the truth. Oliver Wiswell is a noble man who wishes to present the truth. But it quickly fades when he often relies on others to decide his fate, and when he lets his emotions get in the way. Thus, it is important for people to learn from Oliver Wiswell and know not to allow their bias, emotions, and experience from dictating the truth.