My Brother Sam Is Dead (Study Guide)
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
1775
answer
When the story begins.
question
Redding, Connecticut
answer
The town where the Meeker family lives.
question
New York
answer
The town where Tim and Father travel to visit cousins is in the state of _____ _____.
question
Fairfield
answer
Tim tries to deliver letters to the town of _________.
question
Revolutionary
answer
The story takes place during the ______________ War.
question
a contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens
answer
Irony
question
1. Father's death on a British prison ship, even though he considers himself a Loyalist. 2. Sam's execution by the Patriots even though he fought in the war as a Patriot. (I know there's more!)
answer
Name two major ironies in the story.
question
Tim Meeker - 1st person
answer
What is the point of view?
question
the traditional hero figure who possesses great courage, a strong sense of dedication and other admirable qualities, though in reality might not be as heroic as they seem.
answer
Romantic Hero
question
When Tim deceives the cowboys and brings home the wagon by himself.
answer
Identify the turning point for Tim.
question
historical fiction
answer
What is the genre of this novel?
question
They dislike it / they are against it.
answer
What is the authors' attitude about war?
question
Stands for family, doesn't like war, refuses to serve Continental soldiers, neither a tory or patriot.
answer
Susanna Meeker (Mother)
question
has a temper, doesn't like war, gets captures by cowboys, dies on a British ship from cholera
answer
Eliphalet "Life" Meeker (Father)
question
leaves family to fight, gets arrested for stealing his own cattle, executed by Continentals, A highstrung teenager who joins the Continental Army to fight for his principles against his family's favor, Sam is executed by his own army for someone else stealing his own family's cattle, which he didn't really do.
answer
Sam Meeker
question
Sam's brother and the narrator of the story. Although younger than Sam, Tim frequently comes across as more mature and responsible. Faces difficulty choosing between his father's ideas and Sam's. Tim is also afraid to voice his own opinions.
answer
Tim Meeker
question
Colonel Read's granddaughter who helps Sam out during the war. Her opinion changes later in the story, however, and she just wants Sam to return home. Patriot
answer
Betsy Read
question
Betsy's grandfather, head of the militia, staunch and aging Patriot
answer
Colonel Read
question
Tim's friend / neighbor who gets killed on a British prison ship
answer
Jerry Sanford
question
even though he claims to be a Tory, he's probably working for both sides. Asks TIm to deliver a letter.
answer
Mr. Heron
question
Native American man who lives on Colonel Read's land and works for Mr. Heron.
answer
Tom Warrups
question
local black man who was beheaded by the British.
answer
Ned
question
a local Patriot who was captured, then released by the British
answer
Captain Betts
question
one of Sam's officers in Redding, slightly more simpathetic than the General
answer
Colonel Parsons
question
Strict military leader of troops within the encampment. Sentences Sam to death as an example.
answer
General Putnam
question
faith / religion / family (any one of those three will work!)
answer
What does Mother stand for?
question
loyalty
answer
What does Father stand for?
question
family
answer
What does Tim stand for?
question
He becomes from a child to a young man. He has more responsibility than before.
answer
How does Tim change within the novel?
question
Before, Betsy was a strong Patriot. Then, she just wanted the war to be over and Sam to come home.
answer
How did Betsy's attitude toward the war change?
question
1. Tim not butchering the cattle 2. Sam trying to save the cows 3. Sam not being at his post (desertion)
answer
What are some events that contributed to Sam's death?
question
to be an example to other troops to not misbehave.
answer
Why was Sam sentenced to death?
question
Redcoats, Lobsterbacks, Tories, Loyalists
answer
List names used for the British by the Patriots.
