In Time Enough For Drums Character Analysis

Who would risk committing treason to help their country? In Time Enough for Drums, this mother of three, Sarah Emerson, plays a very important role throughout the novel. During the Revolutionary war Sarah risks her, and her loved ones lives to try and help the American army. The continental army benefits from Sarah helping them because she is productive, brave, and wise.

In this novel, Sarah is very productive and never lets down her guard. Initially, Sarah was involved in boycotting British goods to show she did not want to be under KIng George III’s rule. Sarah “...organized the Patriot women in town to boycott imported textiles and make their own liberty teas with sassafras or sage or strawberry.” (Rinaldi 25). Furthermore, she helped the American army by having her patriot women bring their spinning wheels to work spools of flax. These spools of flax can be sewn into silk and used to make uniforms for the men. Finally, Sarah starts writing essays for the Pennsylvania Gazette. As Sarah

Sarah is risking her life to help her country which shows she is very brave. Initially, since Sarah is committing treason she acts under a pseudonym, which is like a fake name. Furthermore,“ It was letters in support of our army! Letters good enough to be reprinted in other papers!” (Rinaldi 40). With Sarah’s essays being reprinted she could have gotten her family killed if someone were to find out it was her. Lastly, Sarah’s father, or to the reader known as Grandfather Henshaw, found out about the letters his daughter was writing and he was furious. Grandfather Henshaw was a tory, meaning he was loyal to the British crown. “If those letters came to light with the right authorities, he could lose everything he has.” (Rinaldi 38). Grandfather Henshaw could easily tell what he thinks is the right authority and make Sarah stop, however Sarah insists on helping her country so she does so