Across Five Aprils

Across Five Aprils
Irene Hunt
Historical novel
pages read (66/209)

 Briefly summarize what you have read over the past week

People of southern Illinois who thought that the war would end very soon came to think that it is going to last longer after hearing about the battle of Bull Run. Male members of Creighton family join the war. Tom and Eb wants joins in the summer and John and Shadrach plans to join in the winter. Creighton family is in a bad mood because of the war and quarrels over it when they talk because they have different opinions of it. One night Bill says that no one will win the war and that he hates slavery but hates the Congress which is in favor of countries hurting each other. One day, Jethro finds Bill beat up while looking down at the beauty of the world from a hilltop. Bill, who got in a fight with John because of their hard feelings since the start of the war, leaves and takes off to Kaintuck to fight for the South. Then in chapter 4, the time jumps to Febuary of 1862 which is a month that the north won 2 battles under General Grant's command. Creighton family grows anxious and worries about Tom and Eb who are fighting. Then, Creighton's neighbor Ed Turner brings a letter from Tom and Eb. Creigtons are reported that Tom and Eb are fine but many other soldiers froze to death because of sudden temperature change. Then Ellen sends Jethro to Shadrach's place for him to give the letter to Shadrach and talk with him. They talk about Jenny's father not allowing the marriage between Jenny and Shadrach and the war. They come to a conclusion that the war will not be over so soon. After talks about sad things, they decide to lighten the mood and Jethro sings as Shadrach plays the guitar. Just before Jethro gets weary and sleeps, Shadrach talks about how he will come back to marry Jenny and leaving his books to Jethro.

Reflect on what you have read over the past week

I think the things that has happened after the start of the war was pretty predictable. Also, I think Jethro will become lonely when all his companions leave him and face a crisis himself. Since not much has happened to Jethro, I am looking forward to him overcoming disastrous events that may occur to him.

Select a passage (1-4 sentences) that you believe to be significant or representative of the reading, or that is otherwise meaningful to you. INCLUDE page number.

Jethro: What made you fight Bill?

Bill: Hard feelin's that have been buildin' up fer weeks. hard feelin's that have fin'ly come out in hard words.                                                                                                                           pg.44

I think this passage reveals the conflicts between family members of Creighton and how they have finally broke into a fight. They have endured their anger and fury but have finally exploded.