Justin Danh

Ms. Palmiotto

Johnny Tremain Essay

3-15-04

“The Power of Money”

 

          When a person has money it can change the way they act.  In Johnny Tremain, money strengthens Johnny’s pride by giving him the satisfaction of offering gifts to others and it also gives him something that he can call his own.  Not only does money boost his confidence, it also makes him a better person.

          Johnny Tremain must be a decent person if he buys gifts for others.  Johnny went to a stationer’s, “Next he bought pastel crayons, but he passionately regretted all those squabs because he had no money left to get her drawing paper.” (p.60)  Johnny finally has enough money to buy a gift for Cilla.  This demonstrates that Johnny must care for Cilla for the reason that he buys her a present with his own money.  Johnny shows his good personality through endowment giving.

          Johnny never really has anything he can call his own.  “He hadn’t liked it when Jehu had referred to him as ‘a boy with broken shoes’, so he bought new shoes and his new shoes fitted to a nicety.” (p.60)  Johnny must have felt depressed about the statement that Jehu made.  Johnny most likely feels proud after he gets himself a new pair of shoes.  Johnny must be glad that he has his own possession that appears not broken.

          Johnny acts like a different person when he has money.  Because of money he goes through countless changes.  His pride be effected the majority.  Johnny changes from an arrogant silversmith to a giving man with a burned hand.