Author's Note: This is an essay comparing the themes of The Patriot and Just Jane. I originally wrote it for social studies although, I realized it can also be scored on the writing/reading rubric.
What if you lived in the Revolutionary War? Would you long to gain knowledge of the war, and its soldiers, or remain a naïve citizen? How would you treat your children? Would you follow the themes of The Patriot or Just Jane? The main similarity, in The Patriot and Just Jane, in theme, is, “becoming aware”. However a difference in themes, includes: “trusting children” versus “over-protective guardians.”
When Benjamin
Martin, the main character in The Patriot, thought he was aware of The
War, and it’s soldiers, he was asked if he was a Patriot. He responded, “If you
mean by patriot, am I angry about taxation without representation, well, yes I
am”. Yet he still believed war should not be an option for the colonies.
Although, once Gabriel, his eldest son, briefly returned from The War he
learned more of the British Army. He learned that they fought unfairly. He
learned what they truly fought for was worse than it had seemed. He became aware
of what The War truly was, and that he was deeply needed. (Emmerich)
Jane Prentice, the main character
in Just Jane, moved from England to live with her Uncle Robert, a true
loyalist. She was surprised when her uncle’s travels forced her to live with
her other relatives, who were patriots. Being new to the colonies, Jane quickly
learned about both sides, and their specific beliefs. She learned of her Uncle Hugh’s patriot
thoughts, and her Uncle Robert’s, loyalist thoughts. She listened to others.
She learned of the conflicts. She developed her own opinion after truly becoming
aware of The War. (Lavender)
Benjamin Martin, the widowed father of seven,
truly cared for his children yet he had always been unsure of what to allow his
children to do. He never wanted his two eldest sons to join the Continental
Army, but later allowed Gabriel to enlist. This leads to Thomas, his second
eldest son’s, death. This gave Benjamin a change of mind causing him to make
his younger son shoot a marching group of “red-coats”. But I guess once someone
dies, you learn that you cannot shelter your children forever. Therefore
Benjamin began to trust his children. (Emmerich)
Jane Prentice’s Uncle Robert and
Aunt Clarissa, loved Jane yet never gave her freedom. She could not go where
she please. And she could not, publically, believe what she believed. So when
Jane developed her own opinion, her curiosity grew and she was put in the
position to sneak away to see her Uncle Hugh. Although, this gave her Uncle and
Aunt a reason not to trust her, they still wished to shelter her from what
truly was occurring in the war, and in their family. They over-protected her,
only wanting her to think loyalist thoughts. They did trust her. However, they
did not want her exposed. (Lavender)
The Patriot and Just Jane share an
important theme, along with themes that are not so similar. However, each
taking place in the Revolutionary War every character gains different
perspectives, due to their different experiences. Theme is decieded from
characters. Theme is developed from setting. Theme is developed by perspective.
Lavender, William. Just Jane. Gulliver Books
Harcourt, 2002.
The Patriot.
Dir. Roland Dr. Emmerich. 2000.
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