April Morning Character Analysis

The novel April Morning by Howard Fast is the story of a young 15-year-old, Adam Cooper. He recounts the Battles of Lexington and Concord during the Revolutionary War through his eyes. In the course of a day, the people of Lexington’s life’s as they have known it are changed. Moses Cooper is a man with high principles and a leader among the Lexington Committeemen, he is a character who is strict, loving father to his family and a leader in the community.
In the beginning of the story, Moses is the antagonist as he and his son Adam Cooper bump heads often. Moses’s interactions with his family show that he is a very strong willed man who wants things his way. Adam states, “His voice called after me like a whip around my ankle” (Fast 3). In this
Adams comes to state, “In two minutes my father could lead any argument or discussion around to being a principle” (Fast 12). Moses is a knowledgeable man, who has learned from many experiences many things over his life span. He has donated much time to his family and townspeople who look up to him and trust him with decisions. At the last committee, gathering Moses nominated himself to stand at the front line when the red coats come. Adam standing a few rows back recognizes his father and he states, “Father stood in the front of the line with no fear, and was shot.” Adams admiration for his father over the last day grew monstrously; as he learned that, his father really cared for him and stood for what was right. Moses Cooper, who was a strict and loving father to his family, was also a role model for the community and his son Adam. He is a round character due to his personality changes throughout the novel. Moses’s strict demeanor with Adam is only to better him into a strong, well-rounded man. He love for his son has always been there; he just does not show it often. How would Moses have treated Adam if they both had survived the