April Morning By Howard Fast Analysis
“The plain truth of the matter is that we can’t stop them!” (Fast 90). April Morning, written by Howard Fast, is a novel about the start of the Revolutionary War, specifically the Battle of Lexington in 1775. Adam Cooper, the protagonist of the story, is a 15-year-old boy who is forced to become a man to defend his home from the British. Moses Cooper, Adams father who is also the antagonist of the story, is extremely hard on Adam and does not see him as a man. Not until Adam signs up to fight that is. Moses Cooper is a loving father that is disciplined, dutiful, and wise. Moses Cooper shows a sense of discipline in the story that is unparalleled by any other character. One of the very first conversations in the book is when Moses is being
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Those are our homes, and inside them are our wives and children. So move gently before you come here with a war.” (Fast 88). Moses wants to avoid a war because with a war comes casualties, and he does not want his family to be among them. He is tough on his kids, but that is for their own benefit. His actions show that he cares deeply for his family, and that he would do anything to protect them, including sacrificing his own life. “We took up arms for our home place, and he died for it… There are worse ways for a man to die I tell you.” (Fast 185). Cousin Simmons highlights the fact that Moses cares more about his family than he does about his own life, but also that he did not die for nothing. Rather, he died trying to defend his home and his family. “On the one hand a speculation- on the other hand a certainty. Our duty! Our oath in the holy name of freedom!” (Fast 65). At this point, Moses is trying to persuade the rest of the men to see the circumstances the way he sees them. He thinks that they should try to avoid violence, but he also knows that they have the obligation to decide on whether they should flee or stay and fight. For him, the choice is extremely easy. He emphasizes the fact that the people of Lexington have an oath to uphold and they cannot give in to British rule, regardless of how outnumbered they may be. If they do, it is likely that the British will keep attacking until the settlers are loyal to them once
Those are our homes, and inside them are our wives and children. So move gently before you come here with a war.” (Fast 88). Moses wants to avoid a war because with a war comes casualties, and he does not want his family to be among them. He is tough on his kids, but that is for their own benefit. His actions show that he cares deeply for his family, and that he would do anything to protect them, including sacrificing his own life. “We took up arms for our home place, and he died for it… There are worse ways for a man to die I tell you.” (Fast 185). Cousin Simmons highlights the fact that Moses cares more about his family than he does about his own life, but also that he did not die for nothing. Rather, he died trying to defend his home and his family. “On the one hand a speculation- on the other hand a certainty. Our duty! Our oath in the holy name of freedom!” (Fast 65). At this point, Moses is trying to persuade the rest of the men to see the circumstances the way he sees them. He thinks that they should try to avoid violence, but he also knows that they have the obligation to decide on whether they should flee or stay and fight. For him, the choice is extremely easy. He emphasizes the fact that the people of Lexington have an oath to uphold and they cannot give in to British rule, regardless of how outnumbered they may be. If they do, it is likely that the British will keep attacking until the settlers are loyal to them once