Andrius Streit #73
Ms. Palmiotto / Mrs. Egus
Computer / Jane Schaffer
“Taking things for Granted”
Throughout one’s life, a person may encounter that their character is not fit for where they want to go in life. In Johnny Tremain, due to the lack of employment during the Revolutionary War, Johnny faces a difficult obstacle of finding a job, resulting in a personality change from a bossy boy to a caring and respectful young man. Johnny begins to realize that first impressions have a major impact on his reputation.
Johnny becomes a better person with an extraordinary personality once realizing his gifts are no longer there to help him find a career. An example would be “Although two years younger than the swinish Dove, inches shorter, pounds lighter, he knew, and old Mr. Lapham knew, busy Mrs. Lapham and her four daughters and Dove and Dusty also knew, that Johnny Tremain was the boss of the attic and almost of the whole house.” (p.2) This shows that Johnny’s authority seems higher than even the adults in the home. This also shows that Johnny feels the need to control the people around him. Johnny, a selfish, arrogant boy, enjoys being the boss until he loses all his gifts and talents.
Although a young boy, Johnny accepts the challenges of a grown man. For example, “’How old are you, Johnny?’ she asked. ‘Sixteen.’ ‘And what’s that-a boy or a man?’ He laughed. ‘A boy in a time of peace and a man in a time of war.’” (p.236-237) This shows that Johnny takes the duty of a soldier in war seriously as a member of society. This quote also proves that Johnny’s personality has prospered throughout his challenges of finding a job by showing that he acts like a man when the time is needed. Despite Johnny’s age, he still up-holds his job with a serious and concentrated attitude.
Johnny’s inner-self evolves into a better personality because of his loss of a job and many other talents. His search to find a job molds Johnny into a loving and caring person. Johnny comes to realize that talents and instincts do not grow on trees and fights his way through his disadvantages.