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April Morning by Howard Fast takes place in Lexington,
Massachusetts, on April 19th, 1775. The novel opens with a glimpse into
the daily life of the Cooper family.
The members of the Cooper family are Moses, Sarah, Dam, Levi, and
Granny. Adams father Moses is always harsh on Adam, and does not
believe Adam is a man or has reached adulthood. Adam Cooper in the
opening chapters has the desire to obtain adulthood, when it is
obtained Adam wants to cling to his childhood. Although going back in
time would be helpful, Adam’s day makes the innocence of childhood
unobtainable as Adam experiences the horrors of war, declares his love,
and witnesses death on April 19, 1775.
Adams father had never shown compassion towards Adam till the night
before he died. Moses Cooper talked to Adam and put his arm around him
that night, uncomfortable for both the father and the son but a loving
action and an action of approval. During that battle Adam witnessed the
tragic death of his father. From the death of his father Adam learns to
be a man and knows he will have to take care of his family. The British
unfeelingly gunned down Adam’s father along with most of the defenders
in the plain sight.
Most of the men still living from this encounter ran away from the
British army. Among these men is Adam. Adam run’s to a near by
smokehouse, finally escaping from the British and dealing with the loss
of his father. Eventually Levi, Adam’s brother, comes looking for him.
Adam helped to console Levi in their father’s death. Adam helps Levi
just like a mature adult would, not as 15 year old teen. Both soon
part, Levi goes home to inform the family, Adam is trying to hide in
the woods outside of town where he is shot at. Luckily the gun did not
fire, thus Adam jumped over a wall and met Solomon Chandler. Adam and
Solomon walked together to a meeting place called Ashley’s Pasture.
Over a hundred men gathered their and discussed their plan.
They were to lie in wait next to a stone wall lining the road and as
the British passed, rise up and fire over the wall. And so on except in
the next meeting place they split into groups. At one encounter Adam
fires at a redcoat, most likely killing that solider. He is thrilled
and is dancing with joy and energy. Adam is letting out his anger,
while killing them a feeling must have came over Adam. As they
progressed Adam saw a dead redcoat realizing the solider was a boy not
older then he himself. Draining all anger from Adam, at the next
encounter Adam learns his gun is not a proper weapon to use, so he
finds this the perfect opportunity to rest from a sleepless night.
After Adam awakens it is time for them to return to Lexington. Adam
“and now as, I walked across the common, I remembered the game and
childhood and clung to both but hopelessly. By the time I entered my
house, I had surrendered them.”
Upon his arrival home Adam is welcomed by Levi, they both sobbed and
were glad to know the other is alive. At this point Adam had let go of
his childhood. Adam baths, and after his bath he pays his respect and
mourns for his father. Adam is now the “Man of the House” for the
Cooper family. He helps carry is father’ coffin to the meeting house
which served as a temporary morgue. He is then asked to go carry and
light the candles by his father at the meeting house. Adam then parts
the house again and meets his childhood sweetheart waiting outside.
Ruth Simmons hugs him thoroughly and kisses him. Adam and Ruth Simmons
declare their love for each other.
The one reading the novel realizes Adam Cooper is forced to be an
adult, and it is hopeless for him to become a child again. He witnesses
the death of a loved one, the death of many young. He understands his
own hate and anger that is towards the British. He declares his love as
a adult would not a child. Finally Adam Cooper understands his new
responsibilities and the burden he has to deal with.
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