with Homer P. Figg GoingtoWar
W
ar happens when states or nations send their armies to battle against each other. It can last weeks, months, or even years. A civil war is a conflict between opposing citizens of the same country, typically over a government issue. During battle, soldiers are likely to be injured or killed due to gunfire, explosions, or disease. For example, many deaths in the American Civil War were the result of infections and diseases like yellow fever and malaria. Citizens sometimes face the same risks as soldiers when war is fought on their home territory, as happened in the Civil War. Such wars create confusion among the people struggling to protect their homes and families. When Professor Fleabottom tells Homer that “war is an awful thing,” he is speaking about the personal hardships suffered during wartime. Do you know anyone who has been affected by a war?
“War is an awful thing.”
Taking Responsibility When Mr. Brewster tells Homer a person has two options, he is telling Homer that one can either become interested and involved in other “A person has only people’s lives or remain two options in life: isolated and alone. to do something or By protecting runaway to do nothing.” slaves, Mr. Brewster —Mr. Brewster demonstrates that he has chosen to act on his principles and to connect with other people —despite the risks. Have you ever been asked to accept the consequences of your actions? Have you ever thought how the decisions you make affect other people?
Marching Onward At the end of his adventures, Homer chooses to head toward new challenges in the future. If you’ve had a tough experience, did you move forward or keep looking back?
“We’re all of us haunted by yesterday, and we got no choice but to keep marching into our tomorrows.” — Homer P. Figg
—Professor Fleabottom
A Literary Tradition Civil War Slang scallywag: a rascal; see “rapscallion”
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg follows a literary tradition known as the “picaresque” (pronounced pik-uh-RESK) novel in which a crafty young hero manages to outwit his opponents through a series of adventures. Other picaresque heroes include Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, both set in America just before the Civil War.
3