Writing Reading Responses for Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt Chapter 1pages1-22 Jethro asks his mom Ellen if they will be done planting the potatoes by dinner time.When he was planting the potatoeshe sees Shadrach the young schoolmaster leaving for Newton.Jethro asks if he will be home by dinner, but Shadrach says he won't be home until after nine. His sister Jenny likes Shadrach. Jethro lives on a farm just before the Civil War in southern Illinois.His mother's cousin Wilse Graham, from Kentucky, comes to their house in a wagon. A problem in this chapter is that war might break out, which would means all the boys would go.If anyone else died in the family, it could bring Ellen more sadness, because Mary (Jethro's sister) and other childrenhave died. Questions I have: When is the war going to happen? Does Wilse Graham have another reason for coming? Jethro wonders if the war is going to happen soon.This chapter reminded me of the TV series Wind at My Back, because of the tragedy of their Father dying and Cousin Del just showing up like Wilse Graham did.I could visualize them planting the potatoes and the blisters on their hands. Ch. 2 pages 23-33 They all sit down for dinner and then Wilse tells everyone how the family is doing in Kentucky. Wilse asks Matt if Kentucky will secede from the South and he says maybe they will.Wilse then asks Matt how southern Illinois would feel about that and then he says that southern Illinois is part of the south. Matt argues and says that “ we’re a union; were jest two weakened, puny pieces, each needing the other.” Wilse then says the South should be able to what they want including slavery because it has been there since the beginning of time. While Jethro is listening to all of this he realizes that his excitement about war was wrong. Ellen tells everyone to stop fighting and talk about something else. Dinner finishes and Jenny washes the dishes with Bill's help. Jethro decides to take a little nap on the porch and wakes up when Shadrach comes home. Shadrach says that firing went on at Fort Sumter and people were watching like it was a “circus”. After 34 hours the Union surrendered. Jenny asks Shadrach if this means a war willhappen and Shadrach says,” Congress is not in session and only Congress can declare war. Matt says,” It is war congress or no.” Jethro then sinks to the ground with fatigue and emotion and thenBill carries him to bed. Ch. 3 pages 34-45 During the summer in southern Illinois, people would have parties to distract themselves from the war. They hear about the battle of Bull Run from the Chicago newspapers. Tom and Eb leave for the war right away; but Shadrach wants to wait until the winter session of school is over.John wants to wait until he could plan for the welfare of his family and help his father harvest the crops. When Tom and Eb leave, Jeb starts sleeping in bed with Bill and has nightmares about the conversations of the war. One time Bill can't sleep and starts talking to Jeb. He says no one will ever win the war, and that it never should have started. One day
Want to read all 6 pages?
Previewing 2 of 6 pages Upload your study docs or become a member.
Want to read all 6 pages?
Previewing 2 of 6 pages Upload your study docs or become a member.
End of preview
Want to read all 6 pages? Upload your study docs or become a member.