“From a Boy to a Man”
“Characters do not change. -Opinions
alter, but characters are only developed.” –Disraeli. In Johnny Tremain, Johnny’s fatal flaw
of burning his hand results in him seeing the world in a compassionate perspective. Johnny slowly begins to change his character.
Johnny shows others that he changes
through his loving actions. “He was
pretending not to give the limes to the little girl. He was going to put them back in his
pockets. But she knew they were for her.”
(p.62) Johnny cares about Isannah and
buys her a gift. Johnny shows concern
towards others as he becomes less selfish.
After Johnny performs these acts, people begin to realize that he
evolves into a better person.
Even though Johnny becomes less
conceited, he sometimes does not want people to know it. “Secretly, and only when alone, Johnny began
calling him ‘Rabbit.’ It was easy for
him to love, and he loved the baby.” (p.97)
Johnny does not want anyone to know that he loves the baby. Johnny becomes compassionate towards everyone
as he learns to appreciate other people.
Johnny shows others that he has become a different person through his
actions, secretly or openly.
As Johnny learns to value different
people’s personalities, he begins to alter his own character without realizing
it. Johnny metamorphoses from a vain boy
to a softhearted man.