Laura Dimler #17 Blk. 2

Ms. Palmiotto

Language Arts / J.T. Final Draft

March 17, 2004

 

“Do They Need 21^st Century Technology?”

 

            “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” (Arthur C. Clarke).  The determined English colonists in Johnny Tremain need advanced resources that are found in the 21^st century to improve their warfare weaponry, communication, and medicine.  Medicine can save Johnny’s hand from being forever destroyed.

 

            Since the colonists do not have the proper medical technology, they can not prevent Johnny’s crippled hand.  “…I don’t want any of them doctors to know we was breaking the Sabbath Day.  And we don’t need no doctor for just a burn…fetch that old midwife…” (p.34).  When this unfortunate event happens to Johnny, the Lapham family does not get the right help Johnny needs so his hand becomes crippled and can not greatly contribute to the war.  If the midwife has the proper medicine, then she can heal Johnny’s hand before it comes to be crippled.  Therefore, scarring, such as Johnny’s, can be prevented with the use of x-rays and skin-graphing.

 

            Lack of war technology delays the colonists in their war time efforts.  “Gunpowder was even harder to get, but all over New England saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal were being ground to a paste, made into gunpowder.” (p. 197) Gunpowder being unattainable, forces colonists to create their own gunpowder from common materials from around town.  Having almost no technology costs the colonists valuable wartime, plus, having no machine guns slows the process of war down.  As a result, machine guns and other war tools can be of great help to the colonists in the Revolutionary War.

 

            Any and all medical and war technology can help doctors and people everywhere.  The advanced technology can assist Johnny in helping his hand recover the best it can.  War munitions can assist the colonists in war.  They can also help win the war.