Role of Women in the Novel April Morning - Book Report/Review Example

Role of Women in the Novel-April Morning Introduction The Novel April Morning is a production of Howard Fast in 1961. Althoughthe novel has different themes concerning the plot this paper decides to look on the role the women play in this book. The author of this book has been able to portray women as caretakers within the social life system. Women have also been portrayed as loving, caring, and religious in the novel. This is evident through the various roles they play in the novel as well as what they are expected to do in the society. Role of Women The author has been able to use women in this novel to express some of their feminism nature and how they play a key role in sustaining the society. For example in chapter 1 in the Afternoon before the battle, women are portrayed as religious people. This happens when Adam’s mother is preparing supper and when Adam delivers some water to her she asks him why he does not read the bible just like his father used to do. According to Adams mother, Moses Cooper the father to Adam had memorized the book of Lamentations by age of 15 which is Adams age (Fast 8). Another encounter in which women are portrayed as religious is when granny is having a conversation with Adam. When granny asks Adam about if the Committeeman was connected to Sam Adams and Adam replies yes she concludes that Adam is a theist which also shows the religious role of women in the novel (Fast 16). In addition to this, the author cites a reverend as one of the characters in this book but does not show any instances where the character inspires people to be religious leaving the role for women only. Another example of the theme of religion expressed by women in this novel is when granny asks Adam, “If God gave a person brains, then shouldn’t he use them?” Ruth is also portrayed as a religious young lady (Fast 22). At her teen age youth she was religious and granny ask why Adam had participated in trying to shake Ruth Simmons’s faith. The author also portrays the religious nature of women in the novel when granny got into an argument with his son Moses when Moses said that, “The highest good was to doubt”. According to granny God was the greatest and hence could not be doubted (Fast 27). The author has also used women to show an understanding and caring character in this novel. Adam confesses that the only person who understands him is her grandmother and most of the time he will spend time with her and make stories (Fast 14). The author further illustrates women as peaceful and caring people when granny tries to control Moses Cooper from attacking his son Adam for reciting the spell. According to Moses the spells are signs of superstition which are not allowed in his family since his family is a civilized and professional family. Ruth is also portrayed by the author as a wise counselor something that portrays the caring nature of women in this novel. When Adam tells Ruth about how his father belittles him, Ruth tells him that she thinks about that too but she wants Adam to be a bit more patient (Fast 32). This is an evident of a wise counsel as a friend. Besides this, Levi the younger brother to Adam is heard talking about killing while he was cleaning a gun. He is immediately cautioned by granny and her mother who tells him that, “we are not savages or barbarians” (Fast 45). This is an evidence of protective and caring parents hence show the role of women in the society as caring and loving. When the father and the son leave for the battle her mother Sarah cries while her granny whispers to Adam that she loves him while on the other hand Ruth had kissed him goodbye. All these are evidences of the theme of love portrayed by women in this novel (Fast 64). Moreover, the theme of love is further portrayed by Sarah when she supports reverend that the militia group should not go for the war since they are outnumbered by that British Army. According to her she is protective and fears that her husband and son could be killed. This is also an evidence of love caring and understating portrayed by the author in this novel (Fast 72). The theme of love is further portrayed by the author when Sarah and granny go to the scene of war to see whether Moses is indeed dead after he was shot. Moreover, granny sends Adam message instructing him to stay in the woods until the soldiers leave since she fears they might kill him too. This is also an indication of loving and caring role of women in this story. Fast has also been able to portray women as fearful in this novel. No women are present in the battle. When the men were leaving for the battle the women were only wailing and sympathizing with them. To some extent they discouraged the men from going to war. This is portrayed when Sarah agrees with the Reverend that they should not engage the British soldiers in war. In addition to this granny sent a message to Adam to stay in the woods until the Soldiers have left. This is an evidence of fear expressed by women in this novel. In addition to this, the author expresses fear in women when Ruth is accompanied home by Adam immediately the express messenger informed the community that the Soldiers were on the way. This is an indication that the women would not stay up and support the battle but would hide away and watch the men fight for their defense. Conclusion Howard Fast inclusion of women in this story is very important. This is seen as the paper concludes that the women play a big role in encouraging and guiding the society. Besides this, they encouraged and offer support the men as they prepared to protect themselves against the enemy. Works Cited Fast, Howard. April Morning. New York: Bantam, 1961. Read More