The Year of the Hangman
By Gary Blackwood
Main Conflict
Main Characters
-Benjamin Franklin
-Colonel Gower
-Lieutenant Hale
-General Arnold
Primary Setting
Events from the Beginning
This event is important to the main conflict because Creighton would not have been in this huge mess if he was still in England. He would not have been forced to choose sides if he wasn't kidnapped. Being taken to America changed his personality & his life forever.
2. On the way to America, an American vessel captures their ship. Creighton is now supposed to be known as a servant so they'll let him live. The American attackers take the ship & its inhabitants to New Orleans where they imprison Lieutenant Hale & Colonel Gower (Chapter 5).
This event is important to the main conflict because it sets Creighton's "identity" for the rest of the book. It creates his cover as a servant.
Event from the Middle
This event is important to the main conflict because it is the turning point in the plot. Creighton now knows that he doesn't want to trust Colonel Gower, and that he is going to stay on the American side.
Events from the End
1. Creighton awakes to a smokey smell, he looks out the window & sees the print shop on fire! He runs out in just his underwear & tackles one of the culprits. Ben Franklin comes out & tells him to leave the man & help save the types. They save some of the types, but Creighton has to drag Doctor Franklin out. They barely escape with their lives (pages 168-171).
This event is important because it is Creighton's first step in showing he is fully loyal to the Americans. If he wasn't on the American side, he might have just ignored the fire. He works very hard to save the types & Doctor Franklin.
This event is important because it is the last thing that happens in the book, & there is a plot twist where they find out Creighton's father is actually still alive. I think it sums up the book very well & it was a great way to end the story.