“Johnny’s Responsibilities”

Will Johnny survive in his new job? In Johnny Tremain, Johnny, a Boston

Observer paper boy, gains responsibility through his communication with the community

regarding the conflict with Britain. While working hard being a paper deliver, he shares

current news with other people.

Johnny’s job helps him to communicate with others. “Because he came from

Boston and rode for the Observer, he was often questioned about the political thinking at the

capital” (pg. 102). Colonists know that Johnny’s knows a lot about Boston’s current events.

His knowledge grows everyday while fulfilling his obligation. Johnny enjoys his job, thus making

him more reliable.

Johnny’s job makes him committed and always to be on time. “…you start about five in

the morning, and you ride through Dorchester, Roxbury, Brookline, Milton, and so on- leaving a

certain number of papers at various inns” (pg.98). He makes great commitment to delivering

papers.

His importance in other towns and in the town he lived in proved significant to the success of

colonist’s freedom. Johnny’s love of his job as a paper boy led him to a more self-ruling life.

Being a paper boy, Johnny has learned to be kind to townspeople by talking and being

friendly to them. Hid intelligence also expands during his job working for the Boston Observer.

Johnny’s arrogance transforms into responsibility.