Dialectical Journal
by: Megan Pennington
"I'd never seen him cry before in my whole life; and I know there were bad times coming."
The language in this quotation from My Brother Sam Is Dead makes the reader feel a sense of awareness. The author uses words like "never" and "bad" to show how aware Tim is of the war. This shows how Tim is now paying attention to his surroundings. Before the war was taking an affect onto him and his family Tim never payed attention he just did what he was told to do. Previously, Tim has said, "I had a different feeling about it; it was real and it could come home to me.' at this point in the story the so called "different feeling" has now arrived. These statements together show how much Tim has grown as the war has gotten bigger. It shows how the war can change someone's view on their life.
"How could I not go when all my friends were going?"
"I had a different feeling about it; it was real and it could come home to me."
"Although to tell the truth, I envied him."
"I've got one mixed up in this bloody war already, I'm not going to let the other one go."
"But best of all, I had my excuse to get away."
"Principle, Sam? You may know principle, Sam, but I know war."
"But you never get rid of in justice by fighting."
The language in this quotation from My Brother Sam Is Dead shows Life's thought of war. Sam, at this point, is going to participate in the war. Life is very concerned because he knows that wars are never good and that in every war there is many sacrifices. In order to talk some sense into Sam before he leaves, Life tells him "You never get rid of in justice by fighting." This shows how much Life knows about wars. Also how Life is not for fighting. Unlike other villagers who think fighting is the best way for war, Life believes there is other ways.
"Not everybody is willing to play dog to the king."
"I've made a sacrifice, Mr. Heron. I've lost a son. You know I have no love for the rebels, but this is one war I'm not fighting."
"He shouted at Sam and Sam had ran away. He was scared that if he shouted at me I'd run away."
"If this message is received, we will know that the messenger is reliable."
"Maybe they'll win"
The language in this quotation From My Brother Sam Is Dead shows how over time with the war, Tim has become more optimistic towards the Rebels. He has come from the thought of them fighting against the king as a total waste of time to thinking that the Rebels have a chance to win. This shows how over time with hearing from the news and people that come into their tavern, he has thought differently. This was also a big moment in the book because it is one of the first times where Tim has though for himself and has his own options. Which shows Tim's character development.