April Morning Character Analysis

662 Words3 Pages
Usually in life the process of maturity is gained over time and with knowledge of life as the person experiences it. In the novel April Morning by Howard Fast the character Adam Cooper goes through the change from being a child to an adult within one day. With no prior knowledge to situations and how a person will handle those situations at such a young age, children and teens are less understanding from those who are older and wiser. From this novel it is evident that some people in life may adapt and mature into their surroundings quicker than others. At the beginning of this novel Adam comes off as an ignorant, foolish boy. Moses Cooper who is Adam’s father and himself seem to disagree on many things and not get along so well, partly because of this foolishness. Fast writes on page four, “I should have known enough to keep my mouth shut, because he replied that he was gratified to be enlightened and laid onto me ten times more, and then wanted to know whether I deemed seventeen to be a superstitious number?” This quote came right after the situation of Adam Cooper being caught by his father reciting a spell while fetching water. From this quote it is obvious that there is a lack of respect between Adam and his father. He continues to lash out on his disagreements with his father until he truly understands his father’s true feelings for him. When Adam makes the choice to be active in his town’s militia, he begins his journey into adulthood. By day two of this novel Adam is partaking in one of history’s bloodiest battles and overcomes many difficult scenarios. One described on page 102 by Fast says, “Once I had established a fantasy about my father being alive, I was able to break it down and argue with myself, and then accept the fact that Father was dead.” Adam is overwhelmed by witnessing the death of his father, but quickly calms himself in a mature manor,
Open Document