Johnny Tremain Politics Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Section.Paragraph)

Quote #10

"Even you, my old friend—my old enemy? How shall I call you, Sam Adams? Even you will give the best you have—a genius for politics. Oh, go to Philadelphia! Pull all the wool, pull all the strings and all the wires. Yes, go, go! And God go with you. We need you, Sam. We must fight this war. You'll play your part—but what it is really about…you'll never know." (8.5.62)

If politics is a dirty game, Sam Adams has some of the dirtiest hands around. What is Otis saying when he tells Adams that he'll never understand what the rebellion from Britain is about? Are the practice of politics and the upholding of ideals totally opposed?