Response to Brotherhood by anne westrick
VMB'S
12/8/13
Novel Analysis: Brotherhood
“Brotherhood” by Anne Westrick is set in Richmond, Virginia during the reconstruction period after the civil war. Tension between the Yankees and native southerners are at an all time high. The book follows the story is Shadrach Weaver, a fourteen year old who is confused. One day, after following his stronger older brother, Jeremiah when he sneaks off in the middle of the night. Shad joins this brotherhood that he knows nothing about. They promise “to protect and defend the weak and the innocent, especially the widows and orphans of solders who gave their lives in sacrifice for our noble cause…”(pg 35). Actually being the Klu Klux Klan, Shad realizes many people in the community are now his brothers, like his grandfather, Bubba, Clifton, and even the sheriff. Unfortunately Shad doesn’t hate the newly freed African- Americans. He even meets a spunky black girl named Rachel, who winds up giving him reading lessons. Through Rachel he meets her family and friends - Ms. Perkinson, Eloise, Miss Elizabeth, and George Nelson.
Westrick’s characters seem very true, especially with the circumstances each are put in. For example, although Jeremiah isn’t my favorite person in the novel, I can see why he joined the brotherhood. Loosing his father to the war ,having Yankees showboating their victory especially with the embarrassing burning of Richmond, and trying to protect his mother while approaching manhood could be easier with help, and unity provided by the Klan. Also Shad, who deep down dislikes Jeremiah, but still wants to be accepted by him. This even leads him to join this other brotherhood, hoping he and his real brother will become closer too. Both situations are genuine and understandable (in a way). The opening chapter is told in past tense and launches the book into action where Jeremiah is taken off to jail before dawn can even break. This strategy was great to engage the reader by throwing them directly into
12/8/13
Novel Analysis: Brotherhood
“Brotherhood” by Anne Westrick is set in Richmond, Virginia during the reconstruction period after the civil war. Tension between the Yankees and native southerners are at an all time high. The book follows the story is Shadrach Weaver, a fourteen year old who is confused. One day, after following his stronger older brother, Jeremiah when he sneaks off in the middle of the night. Shad joins this brotherhood that he knows nothing about. They promise “to protect and defend the weak and the innocent, especially the widows and orphans of solders who gave their lives in sacrifice for our noble cause…”(pg 35). Actually being the Klu Klux Klan, Shad realizes many people in the community are now his brothers, like his grandfather, Bubba, Clifton, and even the sheriff. Unfortunately Shad doesn’t hate the newly freed African- Americans. He even meets a spunky black girl named Rachel, who winds up giving him reading lessons. Through Rachel he meets her family and friends - Ms. Perkinson, Eloise, Miss Elizabeth, and George Nelson.
Westrick’s characters seem very true, especially with the circumstances each are put in. For example, although Jeremiah isn’t my favorite person in the novel, I can see why he joined the brotherhood. Loosing his father to the war ,having Yankees showboating their victory especially with the embarrassing burning of Richmond, and trying to protect his mother while approaching manhood could be easier with help, and unity provided by the Klan. Also Shad, who deep down dislikes Jeremiah, but still wants to be accepted by him. This even leads him to join this other brotherhood, hoping he and his real brother will become closer too. Both situations are genuine and understandable (in a way). The opening chapter is told in past tense and launches the book into action where Jeremiah is taken off to jail before dawn can even break. This strategy was great to engage the reader by throwing them directly into