The Life And Death Summary By Mason Locke Weems

Mason Locke Weems’ work, A History of the Life and Death, Virtues and Exploits of General George Washington, outlines the life and legacy of George Washington through minor episodes and conversation throughout his life. Not focusing in on his Revolutionary War escapades, allows Weems to really showcase the morality and character of George Washington, as well as tell a story about the man so dearly beloved by the people during his lifetime and beyond. In writing this biography, Weems has a strict agenda that highlights the importance of religion, education, and Industry. Weems is, in writing this biography, taking from the example set by Plutarch in his Lives series. Weems uses personal detail and domestic scenes, and in so doing highlights

Chapter two of A History of the Life and Death, Virtues and Exploits of General George Washington includes a couple scenes from Washington’s life as a child. Chapter two of the biography is titled “Birth and Education”. In this chapter, Weems lays out Washington’s background in education. He writes of Washington’s first school; it was an old field school were he learned the alphabet. Weems also notes how proud the schoolmaster was to see Washington become so great, and the schoolmaster believed Washington’s greatness began with a “foundation” he laid. Weems goes on to give a few anecdotes in regards to the beginnings of Washington's character. The first anecdote being a story between George and his father. Washington’s father, Augustin Washington. Mr. Washington and George were out near an apple orchard and George’s father brings up that fact that the year before he asked George to divide an apple with his siblings, and that if he did

Washington had a similar model when picking people who would advise him while he was president. In comparing these two men, and using the poem above, Weems is able to make an argument not only reiterating his points on religion, in making the poem a prayer to God, but also is able to make a political statement that shows that great men do not promote people into positions of power based on friendship or notoriety, but solely base the appointment on merit and experience regardless if they come from a different political stance or