Time Enough For Drums John Rinaldi Analysis

There are many intriguing characters in the novel Time Enough for Drums by Ann Rinaldi. This novel is about a girl in the Revolutionary War named Jemima Emerson. Her parents want her to have a solid education, so they give her a tutor. Later in the novel, she finds love with this tutor, and they get betrothed. The tutor’s name is John Reid. He has many important traits that make him a positive role model for many. John reid is a very helpful, stern, and caring person. Most often, these traits are shown involving he and Jemima.

In several events, John is extremely helpful. In one very critical moment, he saves Jem from having to go to Philadelphia for boarding school. She has been acting up for a while, so her parents are thinking about sending her away. Jemima wants to stay at home. John pulls her into the other room and says, “Then do as I say, and perhaps we can redeem this day. There will be no packing you off right now, not until your parents discuss this. So go to your sister and grandfather and kiss them goodbye” (Rinaldi 68). This shows that he is helpful because he helps her stay. By being very kind, her parents change their mind, and
One example is that he really wants her to learn proper manners. When she arrives for one of her lessons, she throws off her cloak, and runs toward the table where she sees meat. She grabs it and is about to shove it in her mouth, but John Reid stops her. He tells her to put back the meat and wait patiently. Jemima begins to argue with John, and he says, “Go back outside and come back in again. And this time come in quietly. And curtsy when you enter the room. Then pick up your cloak and hang it up properly” (Rinaldi 78). This is strict because, he demands that she do all of these things. He began to raise his voice and said that they will not start lessons until he does exactly what he says. Even though he can be stern, John Reid also shows many examples of him being