"Flames of Independence"

    Like a candle in the wind, Johnny and his country sway back and forth from dependency to independency.  In Johnny Tremain, Johnny symbolizes his country during the time of the Revolutionary War in that they both take a brave step toward independence.  Johnny begins to take charge of his tattered life.

    Johnny strives to find independence in his search of a new job.  Johnny tells Rab of his uncertain future and says," Yes, I wouldn't mind so much being a clock maker or an instrument maker, but I can't and I won't be a butcher, nor a soap boiler" (P.48)  Johnny has no idea of what his future may include.  He implies that he will  only take skilled work and nothing less.  As Johnny struggles to find a better life, so does his country.

    Like Johnny, his country takes a leap towards independence.  At the last meeting of the Sons of Liberty, Mr. Otis says, "Because we fight, they shall see freedom like a new sun rising in the west.  Those natural rights God has given to every man, no matter how humble..."(P.179)  Like Johnny, the country seems ready and willing for the things to come.  They are suggesting that America will accept nothing less then what they deserve, a free country.  The country, like Johnny, find what they are searching for, freedom.

    Johnny and his country find independence after they have searched long enough.  Fortunately, they have love, hope, faith and they fight for what is right.  They no longer "flicker in the wind", they burn like a bonfire with flames of independence and truth.