My Brother Sam Is Dead
By: Beau Windebank
Quote 1
Quote 2
“I’d never seen him cry before in my life and I knew bad times were coming.” This is a huge quote in the exposition. Tim explained father as a big strong man that wasn’t afraid of anything. It set up the beginning of the book and the connection of their family. This set the tone for the whole book. It set a tone of sadness, as Sam would be gone. It let the reader know that things would be tough for the family. It showed the emotions of father, and let you know what kind of a thing war is.
Quote 3
“You never get rid of injustices by fighting.” This showed what kind of a character father was. It showed he was gentle. That he didn’t think fighting was the solution to everything. That he would rather solve the problem another way, instead of killing one another. This quote also set up the rising action as well. It foreshadowed that there would be war and killing. It foreshadowed that even if they fought and killed, the problem would still be there. It also showed part of the message, which was fighting won’t get you everything.
Quote 4
“He’s not dead yet mother.” This shows the conflict in the story. It shows fighting what you believe in. Not giving up. Tim in this time doesn’t think Sam is dead. He isn’t giving up on his brother. This also shows what kind of character Tim is. It shows he is courageous. His courageous characteristic allows him not to give up on Sam. In the book, as the story progresses Tim’s character changes. Tim goes from an innocent boy to a man in the few years after his father’s death.
Quote 5
“I’m going to save my brother.” This quote shows the conflict as well. The conflict, which I think is not giving up and fighting for what you believe in, is shown here. Tim knows that Sam didn’t steal their cattle. He is fighting for what he believes in. He believes Sam didn’t commit the crime. It shows his character as well. His courage and will to save his brother are in this quote.
Quote 6
“I’ve done my weeping for this war.” In this quote, said by Tim’s mother, it illustrates the emotion she is going through. When a member of your family passes, most people cry and become depressed. When Sam is said to be shot, mother takes it as another death. Her emotions are in shock. She not only lost her husband, but is also about to lose one of her sons. The war had put a burden on her, by taking her loved one’s life’s, and also changed her living habits. She is “done” with the war. It is over to her. She cares no more for it.
Quote 7
“The war was like a story.” The plot of the story here. As time passed, Tim and his family weren’t changed by the war “yet”. Sure, they heard about it in the newspapers and people talking about it. Even with that going on, it didn’t really affect them. This helps shape Tim’s characteristics. As the story progresses and the war become more and more impactful, Tim changes. He grows up. He becomes more of a man, as the war takes lives from his family.
Quote 8
“The worst part of the war was missing Sam.” This shows the relationship of Tim and his brother. I actually have made a connection to this part. My brother and I, sometimes act as if we hate each other. Even though we act like that, we actually mean a lot to each other. If my brother were to move out it would be really hard on me. My brother and I’s relationship is somewhat the same as Sam and Tim’s. In the end, we are still brothers, and nothing can change that.
Quote 9
“War turns men into animals.” The plot is shown in this part of the story. The war has been going on, and as time progressed, things began to change. People heard of the killings that had happened. The war “changed” people, and turned them against each other. The war made men kill, steal, rape, and do many other things. For most of the people in the war, their conflict was within themselves. Should they keep fighting? Should they return home to their families? How many lives have I taken? Destroyed? They ask themselves those questions all the time.
Quote 10
“I’ve lost a son.” Father’s emotions are expressed here. Usually, children believe what their parents believe. In this case, Sam is the opposite. Father “loses” Sam once when he leaves the house. He “loses” Sam again when he disobeys father and acts on his own, leaving. He goes against father’s beliefs and joins the army.
Quote 11
“It’s worth dying to be free” This quote basically is the story. That is Sam’s reason for joining the army. He thinks that times are bad enough to fight for freedom. He thinks that killing people is worth his “freedom”. This quote shows the reader what Sam is feeling. He is feeling that he isn’t a free man. That he doesn’t get the privileges and opportunities and a “free” man.
Quote 12
“Men must fight and women must weep.” The emotion is shown in this quote of mother. She is saying that while men fight and die, the women cry about it. She thinks that is just how it is. Her husband dies….she cries. Sam dies…..she cries. As there were deaths from the war, mother changed gradually. As her husband died, she changed acts. When she said this quote I think she said it like it was going on. That she was already weeping over death.
Quote 13
“Even though rescuing father was the daring thing to do, it wasn’t the smartest.” Tim’s character is shown here. Before, Tim probably would have gone off to save father from the cowboys. As the war went on, Tim became more of a man. He became smarter and more responsible as he grew. If he had gone to save father, he could have died as well, leaving mother. He had to help his mother too. To keep the business running, he had to deliver the goods he had. He couldn’t do something foolish and then leave his other alone and with nothing.
Quote 14
“Even though rescuing father was the daring thing to do, it wasn’t the smartest.” Tim’s character is shown here. Before, Tim probably would have gone off to save father from the cowboys. As the war went on, Tim became more of a man. He became smarter and more responsible as he grew. If he had gone to save father, he could have died as well, leaving mother. He had to help his mother too. To keep the business running, he had to deliver the goods he had. He couldn’t do something foolish and then leave his other alone and with nothing.
Quote 15
“All I felt was angry and bitter and ready to kill someone.” Tim’s feelings towards Sam are clearly shown here. He had not given up on Sam; he knew he was still alive. He was willing to KILL to get his brother back. Tim’s inner conflict is also shown here. He has to make a decision for himself. If he needs to, will Tim be able to take someone’s life. Will he be able to do the same thing that has been going on the whole war, which he hates?