My Brother Sam Is Dead - Journals

Daniel Jang English 8E

Journal 1

•The story introduces these characters at the start, Tim and, Sam. Obviously, this would mean that they are the two most important characters. Tim is the main character, and the narrator as well of the book. But nevertheless, Sam is well described in all chapters as well. Most importantly, the chapter one is about Sam.

Journal 2• As the story goes on, Tim comes to a place

of thinking. It was up to him to decide whether he should go up against Sam or not. Not understanding much of the both sides, Tim sees Sam and his girlfriend Betsy Read. It was then, when betsy asked Tim which side he is on. Sam goes on with his reasonings, “You should die for your principles.” Betsy, who is obviously on Sam’s side, tries to bring Tim to their side. In the end, Betsy asks Tim if he wants Sam to get killed. Sam tells Tim not to answer that question. The chapter 2 soon ends.

Journal 3•Chapter 3 is basically about Tim,

thinking about what effects the war would bring to their little village. With Sam gone to the war, all Betsy and Sam could do was wait. One November day, Betsy comes to Tim, with a letter and nods. Betsy had come, and soon it was the beginning of the chapter 4.

Journal 4• With the small brain Sam has, he thinks of a way

to meet his brother once again to get the gun. A while after Sam left, Soldiers accuse Tim’s father for rebellion. Father tells the soldiers that Sam took it but they threaten the father by saying that they would kill him if he does not give the gun. Tim slowly goes into the forest to seek for Sam and the gun he took. For Sam was sleeping, Tim was able to slowly take the gun out of his clutched arms. As soon as Sam wakes up, he dashes to Tim to get the gun back. Tim also threatens Sam by saying that he’d shoot if Sam tries to stop him. But soon, Tim starts to cry. Sam hears the reason why Tim tried to take the gun. Sam hesitates but decides to go back home for a while.

Journal 5• By the time Tim heard about Mr. Heron’s letter, he soon decided to turn it in himself. But he noticed that his father obviously wouldn’t let him go. It was very unlikely for the father to actually let Tim get involved with the war. However, Tim wouldn’t give before trying. And when he did, the answer was no doubt that it was a “no.” The next day arrived, Tim was off for fishing. As he sat down, a flash back of memories stroke him. For Tim’s very own view, Sam was a being of full respect. Even when Sam was milking a cow, it looked as if he was solving and going through a important job. Every move Sam made, Tim said it looked very great, brave, and grown-up. On the other hand, Tim thought himself as one the lowest life being on Earth. He wasn’t sure what to do, but soon enough, his idiocy was the trouble. Tim probably knew nothing about what he was going to be striking. For he was lost in his little mind, he thought of a plan to transport the letter. A dumb plan, yet, it would work, for it was even dumber than the dumbest kinds. Knowing Tim, this probably was the greatest plan he could’ve thought of. Tim decided to go fishing the next day as an excuse but send the letter instead.

Journal 6•Unfortunately, Tim and his little minds

could not pass through the point where it was far clear. Tim, with the letter given from Mr. Heron, goes to Sam. It would lead to Sam’s doom. However on the walkaway to the Fairfield, Tim meets Sam’s girlfriend, Betsy. She stars wanting to see the letter of a curiosity, and soon she gets her hands on it. This moment was when the delivery had failed.

Journal 7•Even though Tim had failed to

deliver the letter, somehow, Tim gets away. As time passed on, he only remembers nothing about it.

Journal 8•One day, Tim meets his cousins, Platts.

However, this was the first time ever in a meet with these people and Tim. As a shy little boy Tim was, when he placed he’s foot in their house, it had gotten worse. Father and Tim leaves early the next morning. On the way home, which the snow starts to fall. A heavy one that would keep Tim and his father another night with the Platts.

Journal 9•From the Platts, Tim and Father

drived on ‘n on continuously until they reached home.

Journal 10•Father nor Sam were home.

Journal 11

•Chapter 11 is when Tim grows up to be a man. So far, in the story, we’ve seen this boy Tim, as an idiotic, insane, and crazy little boy who did not know what to do alone. At the end of this chapter, Tim feels as if he was Sam’s equal, not a little brother.

Journal 12

•June of 1777, Tim and Tim’s mom finally finds out that the father died. Father had been dead for at least a month. The cow was stolen.

Journal 13• Sam was sent to the jail and Tim tried to get

him out. Despite the fact that was the story lame, it didn’t even make sense. Obviously, you can’t possibly steal your own cow. Since the father was dead, the heritage would have gone to either Sam or Tim. There were no letters at all about which son the wealth should go to or to divide. As we all know, Sam is the big brother and this is a flawless fact. Which means the person inherited with the money would be Sam. The cow that was told that he stole, was his own cow. Ineffective, lame and not-fitting story ending. At this time, most of the readers would probably think, “That’s just sad!!”

Journal 14•So in conclusion, Tim was not able to

rescue Sam and explain how this could not be possible. Sam dies in pain. As he jerks around after the first shot, yet alive, he is shot again. The title, “My brother sam is dead” showed and introduced the conclusion and basic things very well. We could possibly say,.. “That was the shortest summary of the book.” For my opinion, although nobody asked,.. the title was just too plain, and clear. Looking at the title, I figured it wouldn’t be so good, never asked much from it anyways.Yes, my comments are negative, but after all, it WAS one of my least favorite books.