Johnny Tremain Character Analysis

A Maturing Experience When talents are discovered, it is easy for us to place all our worth and purpose in that one thing, despite the warning “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”. However, this is exactly what Johnny did in the book Johnny Tremain. As a naturally talented silversmith, Johnny became prideful and foolish, placing all his value in his workmanship. But one day, all of his aspirations disappeared when he burnt his hand, leaving it crippled and useless. Johnny was compelled to leave his days of serving as an apprentice for a silversmith behind him and earnestly search for a new occupation.
Johnny should accept the position as Mr. Lorne’s horse boy for these three reasons: the job presents opportunities to gain knowledge, to

Lorne’s horse boy is because the circumstance creates opportunities to acquire humility. Johnny’s character displayed the opposite of humility. He spoke arrogantly, treated others poorly and acted pridefully. However, this mindset would not be permitted at Mr. Lorne’s printing shop. Formally, when working for Mr. Lapham with two other young apprentices, Johnny was far more talented than the others, and subsequently acquired the large majority of the revenue. Accustomed to being the center of attention, the favorite, and the experienced silversmith, adjusting to the circumstances at the Observer printing shop would be a hurdle, however not impossible. Johnny is not the only useful person working there. No! Rab, the two apprentice boys, and Mr. Lorne all greatly contribute to the success of the printing shop. Out of all of them, Johnny was in fact the least experienced. All of this led to Johnny’s realization that the world does not revolve around him. He is only one part of a joint effort and he would finally understand that in order to succeed, everyone must work together. Indeed, Mr. Lorne’s shop, where everyone contributes in whatever way possible, ran significantly smoother than Mr. Lapham's silver smith business where Johnny thought of himself as the only talented and useful apprentice. Working at the printing shop resolves Johnny’s self centeredness, exposing him to the world beyond himself and the silversmith trade, training him to see the talent and value in