Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Some chapters span a couple of months, while others cover only a few days. How does this inconsistent pacing affect our reading of the novel?
- Other than Johnny, Cilla is the only character who is present for almost the entire novel. How would the story be different if it were told from Cilla's perspective?
- As a novel that deals with the birth of a new nation, Johnny Tremain addresses concerns about the future, but the past is also shown to be a powerful force. How is the tension between past and future manifested in Johnny's life?
- Many characters are historic figures who have taken on larger-than-life personas in American history. How do the images of people like Paul Revere and Sam Adams in popular culture affect our understanding of their characters in the book?
- Many British characters are sympathetic, which means the author intends for the reader to like them. How does this affect the reader's feelings about the rebellion?
- If you could be one character for a day, whose shoes would you step into? Why?
- Does Johnny Tremain remain relevant in the twenty-first century? Do the ideals of liberty expressed in the novel apply to more recent wars as well as to World War II?