April Morning Characters Flashcards
pages at 400 words per page)
Adam Cooper
Adam Cooper is the main character of the novel “April Morning” by Howard Fast. At 15 years old, Adam Cooper is a resident of Lexington, Massachusetts, is the son of Moses and Sarah Cooper, is the grandson of Granny, and is the older brother of Levi Cooper. He is also the love interest of Ruth Simmons.
Adam is constantly at odds with his father, believing his father hates him, for Moses has never uttered a kind word to Adam. Adam is constantly seeking to be a man, but the opportunity to demonstrate his manhood has never presented itself until British troops move out from Boston to seize control of weapons and munitions in Concord. To do so, they must travel through Lexington. Adam decides to join the Lexington militia with his father, and the two make peace with each other as the British arrive in town. The British open fire on the militia, killing many, including Moses, and scattering the others, including Adam. Adam joins militia that is converging on the area from all over the countryside, and joins the battle against the British as the British retreat from Concord to Boston.
Returning home, Adam must truly confront the death of his father, and the impact it has had on his family. Rather than going off to war immediately, Adam decides to remain home for the time being to care for his grieving family.
Moses Cooper
Moses Cooper is the father of Adam Cooper and Levi Cooper, the husband of Sarah Cooper, and the son of Granny Cooper. Moses is a deeply Christian man who values a combination of faith and reason in life. He is stern, strict, hardworking man who deeply loves his children – but doesn’t quite know how to show it. Moses is killed while attempting to talk to the British as they arrive in Lexington.
Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is the mother of Adam Cooper and Levi Cooper, is the wife of Moses Cooper, and is the daughter-in-law of Granny Cooper. Sarah is a devoutly Christian woman who is as kind as she is morally just. She encourages Moses to get closer to Adam, and does her best to help care for her family following the death of her husband, even though she is devastated by what has happened.
Levi Cooper
Levi Cooper is the younger brother of Adam Cooper, is the son of Moses and Sarah Cooper, and is the grandson of Granny Cooper. Levi dreams of going off to battle against the British army, but the attack at Lexington chastens him, and awakens him to the terrible cost of war. Levi admits that, had he been in the battle, he would have run.
Granny Cooper
Granny Cooper is the grandmother of Adam Cooper and Levi Cooper, the mother of Moses Cooper, and the mother-in-law of Sarah Cooper. Granny is deeply Christian and deeply patient, and is an integral and productive part of the family. She is deeply saddened by the loss of Moses, but is comforted to some degree by Adam’s insistence that she still has him and Levi.
Ruth Simmons
Ruth Simmons is the 15-year-old daughter of Joseph Simmons, and is younger than Adam by three months. She is deeply in love with Adam, having been in love with him for years. She believes it is only a matter of time before she and Adam will get married. She is terrified by the approach of the British, and is terrified to think that Adam will one day march off to war. She is temporarily relieved, however, to hear that Adam will be remaining around, at least for a while.
Joseph Simmons
Joseph Simmons is the father of Ruth Simmons, and a very distantly-related non-blood cousin to the Coopers. Joseph is a large, strong man who is deeply Christian, fiercely patriotic, and utterly kind. He very much approves of the relationship between Ruth and Adam, and becomes something of a father-figure to Adam following the death of Moses. Joseph ominously says that a real war has begun, and it will not end until the British go home.
Solomon Chandler
Solomon Chandler is an older resident of Lincoln Town, near Lexington and Concord. He, like many other men and boys in the area, have responded to arms against the British presence out of Boston. It is Solomon who first comes across Adam following the attack at Lexington, and it is Solomon who tells Adam he is allowed to grieve for the death of Moses.
The Reverend
The Reverend is the local pastor of the Lexington church meetinghouse. Deeply Christian, incredibly wise, and unfailingly kind, the Reverend is the spiritual guide and moral conscience of the village of Lexington. He is greatly admired and respected, and is one of the people who decide to attempt to talk things about with the British. For this, the Reverend is kicked by Major Pitcairn, and knocked the ground. He survives the attack, and later counsels Adam against going off to join the militia at Boston.
Major Pitcairn
Major Pitcairn is the commander of the British detachment that organizes on Lexington Common. Pitcairn is cruel and ruthless, and shouts profanities at the local militia as he orders them to disperse. When the Reverend attempts to speak to him, Pitcairn kicks the Reverend to the ground, and then orders his troops to open fire on the militia.
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