Cathryn Vides Lee-Ann Lippert English H 22 April 2024 Hero Response and Analysis Essay For generations, children have looked up to their loved ones as the heroes who will go on to guide them in their decision-making process, and the book Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt is no exception. This novel follows the life of a boy named Jethro Creighton living in the Southern countryside with his family during the Civil War. Although young and immature, Jethro is interested in studying, something not commonly touched on in farmlands. His interest in learning set him apart from his family, causing his relationship with some members to strengthen and others to dissipate. As the black sheep of the family, he looks up to many members of his household for…show more content… Firstly, Bill Creighton is Jethro's hero because of his commitment. Jethro and his older cousin Bill share a like-mindedness regarding their foundational beliefs: doing what they believe is right, even if considered wrong as per societal judgment. When Eb, one of his cousins, and Tom, Jethro's sibling, go off to war, Bill goes into a speculative state. While both Jethro and Bill are scholars who prefer to read over manual labor, Bill's conclusion to fight for the South after listening to the various opinions his relatives have on the war, came as a shock to Jethro. Bill was going against societal expectations and potential consequences to stay true to what he believed was right, leaving a lasting effect on Jethro, who, as the chapter indicates, frequently has his opinions and beliefs shot down because of his age. All in all, due to Bill Creighton's commitment to his ideals, he became a heroic figure for the young Jethro, who yearned for a guidance figure in his early years. Secondly, Jethro looks up to his older brother Bill as a hero because of his
