How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
May I remind you that Tom Creighton died for the Union cause, that he died in battle, where a man fights his opponent face to face rather than striking and scuttling off into the darkness? (7.16)
Leave it to Ross Milton to lay down the law when it comes to who is a real man. The open letter to the scumbags who burned down Matt's barn draws a very clear line in the sand. On one side are soldiers like Tom Creighton who don't run away from their enemies, and on the other side are people like Wortman who are weak cowards undeserving to be called men.
Quote #8
"Be glad you're a boy, young feller, and don't hev to pester yoreself with all these troubles that men be sufferin' through these days," he said genially.
Jethro had picked up a mannerism from his mother. He closed his eyes briefly, as if to hide from the world the exasperation with which the man's words struck him. He knew he must keep quiet; these men were kind, generous men, and anyway, a boy had no right to contradict a man's opinion. If they wished to think of him as an ignorant child, he must not try to change their idea of him, but it was a bitter dose to swallow. (8.29-30)
So Jethro still considers himself a boy if he's not talking back to the old man. Or he's just respectful. Or both. (Which we think is the more likely option.) However, ignorant child he most certainly is not.
Quote #9
And what was it that man said the day of the barn-raisin'? 'It's good that you're a boy and don't have to worry yourself about this war.' Why yes, no doubt about it, eleven-year-old boys ain't got a thing to worry about; this year of 1863 is a fine, carefree time for eleven-year-old boys..." (9.115)
Ah, some refreshing sarcasm. There truly is nothing quite like it. For one thing, just because Jethro's still a boy doesn't mean he's not worrying about the war. He has taken on the man's role in his family, after all, and if men can worry about the war, then so can Jeth. And furthermore, even if Jethro were able to be just a regular kid his age, nearly everyone he loves is off fighting in the war. There is no way he's just gonna not worry about them.