Johnny Tremain Summary

Introduction

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes is a 1943 historical fiction book which is set in America just before the American Revolution. One of the best selling children's books, Johnny Tremain is considered a classic of children's literature. In 1944 it won the Newbery Medal and in 1957 Disney released a film adaptation.

Johnny Tremain Synopsis

Johnny Tremain tells of the times in Boston just before the American Revolution through the eyes of Johnny Tremain, a young silversmith who is drawn into the war after meeting Rab Silsbee, a daring young member of the Sons of Liberty. Working closely with Paul Revere and the revolutionists, Johnny must learn to overcome the obstacles in his path through his courage and determination and help prepare Boston for the battle ahead.

Johnny Tremain Plot Summary

Johnny Tremain is a 14 year old silversmith apprentice living in Boston during the 1770s. The owner, Ephraim Lapham, no longer takes much interest in running the silversmith shop and so Johnny is left in charge, with authority over the other two apprentices, Dove and Dusty. Because of his skill and status, Johnny is arrogant and impulsive, often bullying his fellow apprentices and the owner's granddaughters.

One night Johnny reveals his family secret to Cilla Lapham, who Mrs. Lapham (Cilla's mother and the widowed daughter-in-law of Ephraim Lapham) wants Johnny to marry. Before Johnny's mother died she revealed that he was related to a wealthy Boston merchant named Jonathan Lyte. She also gave him a silver cup featuring the Lyte coat of arms but told him to not make contact with them unless he became desperate.

As Johnny is creating a silver basin for the wealthy merchant John Hancock, Dove plays a joke on Johnny that was intended to be harmless but humbling. Dove hands Johnny a cracked crucible but the prank goes wrong and Johnny's hand is left deformed. No longer able to work as a silversmith, Johnny Tremain goes from the pride of the Lapham house to the burden. Mrs. Lapham forbids Johnny from marrying Cilla and complains of having to house and feed him.

In search of a new trade, Johnny comes across a print shop where a Whig newspaper, the Boston Observer is published. Johnny is intrigued by Rab Silsbee, the nephew and apprentice of the owner Mr. Lorne. After Johnny tells the story of his accident Rab promises to give Johnny a job delivering newspapers if Johnny can find no better work.

In desperation, Johnny approaches Jonathan Lyte and produces the silver cup as evidence that they are related. However Jonathan Lyte accuses Johnny of stealing it and has him arrested. With the assistance of Rab and Cilla, Johnny is cleared of the charges in court. After this Jonathan Lyte then steals the cup after Johnny tries to sell it to him. At this point Johnny takes up the offer of delivering newspapers for Mr. Lorne.

Through delivering the Boston Observer, Johnny becomes acquainted with key members of Boston politics and turns into an enthusiastic Whig supporter. The Lornes treat Johnny like he is one of the family and Johnny is soon doing tasks for the Whigs of Boston. He also takes part in the Boston Tea Party, where a group of Boston citizens board English merchant ships and throw the tea overboard, in protest of the tax England was imposing on the tea. "No taxation without representation!" was the cry of the citizens.

During this period Johnny changes from an arrogant, self-centred boy to a selfless, idealistic man. Rab's personality influences Johnny to calm his temper and the Whigs give Johnny a purpose larger than himself. Johnny also comes to realize and appreciate the feelings he has for Cilla Lapham.

Just before the beginning of the Revolutionary War between the colonists and England, the Lytes who are Tory supporters plan to flee to England. Before they go, Lavinia Lyte, the daughter of Jonathan Lyte, reveals to Johnny that they have investigated his claims of kinship and found it to be true. Although her father, Johathan Lyte, genuinely thought Johnny to be lying at first, they now accept Johnny has the right to some of the Lyte property.

As the war breaks out, Rab is fatally shot during the battle of Lexington. Although deeply affected by Rab's death, Johnny refuses to give up the struggle for the values which Rab sacrificed his life for. After examining Johnny's hand, Doctor Warren, a colonist leader, realizes that through simple surgery he can separate the thumb which is fused to Johnny's palm. As the book ends, Doctor Warren assures Johnny Tremain that he will soon be able to fire the musket left to him by Rab.

The Outcome of the American War of Independence

At the end of Johnny Tremain the war is only just beginning and so the outcome is not described in the book. However, we know from history that the American War of Independence ended in the following way:

After heavy casualties on either side, Britain finally decided to give in to the colonies. A treaty was drawn up in which the colonies were taxed but were also represented in British parliament and treated as British citizens. Sam Adams and a group of other men became representatives for the colonies. However, the colonial members of parliament and the British members of parliament found it hard to get along and two years later another war broke out. This time the colonies won their independence and a new nation was born with its own leader and constitution.

By Ben Wagner
First published: 2006, Last updated: February 10th, 2024

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