Essay Questions

How does the war change Jethro?

In Irene Hunt's novel Across Five Aprils, the American Civil War has a significant impact on Jethro Creighton, the main character of the novel. The war changes Jethro in a number of ways, both physically and emotionally. One of the most significant ways that the war changes Jethro is by forcing him to grow up and take on adult responsibilities at a young age. Jethro is just a boy when the war begins, but he is forced to mature quickly as he takes on more and more responsibilities on the farm and helps to support his family. The war also forces Jethro to confront the harsh realities of life and death, as he loses family members and friends to the conflict. The war also changes Jethro's worldview and his understanding of the world around him. Jethro starts the novel as a naive and sheltered boy, but he is exposed to the violence and brutality of the war and is forced to confront the deep divisions and conflicts that exist within the country. As a result, Jethro becomes more aware of the world around him and more attuned to the larger issues and debates that are shaping the country. Overall, the war changes Jethro in many significant ways, forcing him to mature and grow up quickly and giving him a deeper understanding of the world around him.

Why are there so many deserters in the war?

In Across Five Aprils, there are many deserters in the war for a number of reasons. Some soldiers deserted because they were unhappy with the conditions of the war, including the long periods of time that they were away from home, the lack of food and supplies, and the harsh treatment that they received from their superiors. Others deserted because they were afraid of being killed or injured in battle, or because they were disillusioned with the cause for which they were fighting. Many soldiers also deserted because they were homesick or because they had personal or family issues that they wanted to resolve. For example, some soldiers deserted in order to care for sick or injured family members, or because they wanted to return home to protect their families and property. In addition to these individual reasons, there were also broader social and political factors that contributed to the high number of deserters in the war. For example, many soldiers deserted because they opposed the war or disagreed with the causes for which they were fighting, and some deserted as a form of political protest. Overall, the high number of deserters in the war reflects the complex and often difficult circumstances that soldiers faced during this time period, as well as the broader social and political tensions that shaped the conflict.

Why do the people set fire to the Creighton family's barn?

The people set fire to Creighton's barn because they are angry and resentful of Jethro's family. The Creighton family is seen as being loyal to the Union cause, and many of the other people in the community are sympathetic to the Confederacy. As a result, they view the Creighton family as being disloyal and traitorous, and they set fire to their barn as a way of expressing their anger and frustration. The fire is also a way for the people to punish and intimidate the Creighton family, and to send a message that they will not tolerate those who oppose their views or defy their authority. The fire is a violent and destructive act that is meant to hurt and intimidate the Creighton family, and it reflects the deep divisions and conflicts that exist within the community during the Civil War. Overall, the fire is a significant event in the novel that serves to illustrate the social and political tensions that exist within the community, and how the Civil War has a destructive and divisive impact on ordinary people.