Matthew Creighton is a scholar with specializations in European and American literature (especially the novel tradition); modern Jewish intellectual history; literary criticism and theory; and theories of religion, secularization and modernity.

Who died in Across Five Aprils?

Death/War 11: Dan Lawrence comes to tell the Creightons that Tom has died in battle. Dan was there when Tom died, and he relates the story of how Tom died. Death/War 12: The men tell Jethro that he is lucky to be so young that he does not have to worry about the war, but Jethro is irritated to hear them say that.

Who is Tom in Across Five Aprils?

In Across Five Aprils, Tom Creighton is an eighteen-year-old boy eager for his chance to fight for the Northern cause, helping the Union to victory.

Who is Jethro's father in Across Five Aprils?

Jethro Creighton: As Ellen and Matt Creighton’s youngest child, Jethro is nine years old when the story begins. Showing ‘special talents’ as a boy, he becomes the man of the household taking care of the family farm when his brothers go off to war.

What happened Matt Creighton?

Matt suffers a heart attack during the novel that leaves him unable to carry on his normal duties at home, but men from all over help him and Jethro.

Is Jethro Creighton a real person?

Children of Matthew and Ellen Creighton The real Jethro Creighton who this character was based upon died on November 3, 1929, at 3:35 pm, aged 77.

Who was Mary Creighton and what happened to her five Aprils?

Thinking of war prompts Jethro to think about his sister Mary’s death. A group of hoodlums broke up a dance she was attending and chased Mary and her date. One of the hoodlums, Travis Burdow, fired a pistol that frightened the horses, causing the wagon to overturn and kill Mary.

What happened to Irene Hunt when she was 7?

Irene Hunt grew up on the farm in southern Illinois that provided the setting for her Civil War novel, Across Five Aprils (1964). After her father died when she was seven, Hunt lived with her grandparents for five years.

How many brothers does Jethro have in Across Five Aprils?

Jethro grows up on a farm, the youngest of four children with three older brothers and one older sister. Two of his brothers join the Union forces, while one of his brothers joins the Confederate forces in the fight against the ‘industrial north’. As a young boy, Jethro is very confused about the war.

Who is Ross Milton?

For the past four years, Ross Milton has been an assistant professor of economics at Kansas State University. He holds a PhD and MA in economics from Cornell University and a BA in Economics and Political Science from Macalester College. …

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Who was wilse Graham?

Wilse Graham is Ellen Creighton’s sister’s son. Ellen and the family are glad to see him, and to hear what has been going on with the family back home.

How old is Shadrach Yale?

Shadrach Yale Shadrach is twenty years old and is treated like family by the Creightons. He loves Jethro and is in love with Jenny, but leaves them both as he goes off to war.

What did the troublemakers do to hurt the creightons?

What did the troublemakers do to hurt the Creightons? She records the date of her brother Tom’s death. What does Jenny write in the Bible in Chapter 7? … Why do three Federal Registrars come to the Creighton home in Chapter 9?

What advice did Nancy give Jethro?

What advice did Nancy give Jethro? That to forget about the letter and let it be between Jenny and Shadrach. Let it remain private.

Who waits for Jethro on the road?

At the end of the meal, Milton warns Jethro to be careful since the man from the store lives on Jethro’s route home. Jethro leaves, trying to stay awake during the trek. When he passes the Burdow place, he sees Dave Burdow, Travis’s father waiting for him.

What is happening on the Creighton Farm?

Lesson Summary Creighton has a heart attack that will forever weaken him. This suddenly thrusts Jethro into manhood and makes responsible for running the farm. Jenny, as well as the neighbors, including Ed Turner, help as much as they can.

What does Jethro learn about the fighting at Pittsburg Landing?

Jenny and Jethro talk about the battle, and Jethro notes that every time the Union army does not lose badly to the South, they call it a victory. They speculate about how Grant could have been taken by surprise and whether Grant is another general that will fall down through the ranks.

What happened to John in Across Five Aprils?

John’s beliefs on the war take center stage during the suppertime debate when cousin Wilse visits, and John does not back down from his Southern-siding cousin. Eventually a fight erupts between John and Bill, and while Bill leaves to join the Confederates, John heads off to fight for the Union.

Who was Mary Creighton and what happened to her?

Mary Frances Creighton (July 29, 1899 – July 16, 1936), was a housewife, who along with Everett Applegate, a 36-year-old former American Legion official, was executed in Sing Sing Prison’s electric chair, Old Sparky, for the poisoning of Applegate’s wife, Ada, in Baldwin, New York on September 27, 1935.

Who proposed to Jenny in Across Five Aprils?

The aunt writes to Matt Creighton, begging him to allow Jenny to come to Washington. She offers to pay Jenny’s expenses, and to give her shelter in her own home. Matthew, who cannot stand to see his daughter suffer “if there be one chance fer her to see (Shadrach) alive”, agrees to let Jenny go to Washington.

What did the southerners want in Across Five Aprils?

Angry, he declares that the South simply wants to be left alone. The North should stay out of their affairs and let them keep slaves if they wish. At this, Jethro’s 18-year-old brother Tom becomes visibly angered, but keeps quiet.

How does Jethro feel about the war?

He even thinks the war is kind of neat, imagining horses, trumpets, and polished brass buttons. Throughout the book he not only loses that glamorous image, but he comes to understand that the war is an unrelenting force that propels him and everyone else forward without mercy.

Where does Jethro Creighton live?

In 1861, 9-year-old Jethro Creighton lives with his family on a southern Illinois farm. The Civil War is beginning, stirring heated discussions within homes across the nation. Two of Jethro’s older brothers, John and Tom, are anxious to fight for the Union army. Cousin Eb plans to join them.

Why did Ellen think Jethro was a special child?

Ellen considers Jethro her special child since he survived the devastating epidemic that killed three of his older brothers the year he was born (1.9). … But once all the older boys head off to war, Jethro and Jenny are the only children left at home.

Where do Shadrach and Jenny get married?

The two are married in the hospital with Shadrach still too ill to leave his bed. Wounded soldiers are in attendance together with Ross Milton to witness the event. Jenny is delighted and writes to Jethro as ‘Mrs. Shadrach Yale’, asking him to record the date of her marriage in the family bible.

What is the relationship between Jenny and Shadrach Yale?

What is the relationship between Jenny and Shadrach Yale? Shadrach Yale is Jenny’s schoolmaster. He and Jenny are attracted to each other. How does Cousin Wilse Graham attempt to justify the fact that he keeps slaves?

Why does Bill leave home in Chapter 3?

The reason for the abrupt departure is that Bill plans on fighting for the South while his father and John support the North. Naturally this causes some tension, hence the fight.

Who was Sheridan in Across Five Aprils?

Shadrach is Jethro’s teacher and friend. He helps Jethro learn to read and speak and encourages the furthering of his education. Shadrach goes to fight in the war, leaving both Jethro and Jenny missing him intensely.

What is Ross Milton's profession?

Milton RossBornDecember 2, 1876 California, USADiedSeptember 5, 1941 (aged 64) Los Angeles, California, USAOccupationActorYears active1914-1926

What news did wilse bring?

What news did Wilse bring? South had seceded from the Union.

What happened to Jethro's sister Mary?

Chap 1: What happened to Jethro’s sister Mary? Mary died in the winter of 1859. She and her friend Rob were at a dance when a group of uninvited drunk boys started causing trouble.