Biblical Allusions in April Morning

1. Biblical Allusions in April Morning 9/23/13

2. Howard Melvin Fast (1914-2003), an American novelist and television writer, grew up in New York City selling newspapers and working part-time at the New York Public Library. Fast is well known for writing Spartacus, several historical fiction novels dealing with American History, and his work in the American Communist Party. Published in 1961, April Morning has become a popular read among middle school classrooms despite being intended as an adult novel. Author

3. April Morning begins in the afternoon of April 18, 1775 and ends the following night at the conclusion of the battle of Lexington. Adam Cooper struggles to see eye to eye with his father’s (Moses) Calvinistic views on manhood. After living through the opening battle of the American Revolution and seeing the horrors of war first hand, Adam learns what it means to become a man. Synopsis

4. Calvinism is based on the doctrines of John Calvin (1509-64). He was a French theologian and religious reformer during the reformation. (The Reformation divided Christians into Catholics and Protestants.) He was forced to leave France because of his beliefs, and he settled in Geneva, Switzerland, which became the center of Protestantism. The church wrote the city’s laws and it governed the city’s daily life. Notes on Calvinism

5. Supremacy of the Scriptures in the revelation of truth • Omnipotence of God • Sinfulness of man • Salvation of the elect by God’s grace alone. Only a few are chosen by God and this was predetermined. The others were damned forever no matter how good they were. This is the doctrine of predestination. • Rigid moral code--People were expected to be thrifty, hardworking, and serious. Dancing and singing (except hymns) was forbidden. Punishments were severe. • Calvinism is the basis of the English Puritan religion (Separatists, Independents, and Congregationalists) and for the Presbyterian and other Reformed churches. Calvinism, continued

6. an implied or indirect reference especially in literature; also:  the use of such references • TAYLOR SWIFT uses several famous allusions in one her of songs. Anyone know the song? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xg3vE8Ie_E Allusion

7. Even today the Bible is the most read book in the world. • On the eve of the Battle of Lexington, the colonists not only read the Bible, they taught their children to read using it. • Paper was rare and taxed, so children learned their biblical lessons first through daily recitation and then through writing. • Howard Fast, to make his historical fiction, accurate had to use biblical allusions as the colonial world was in many ways biblical. • http://www.chesapeake.edu/Library/EDU_101/eduhist_colonial.asp The Bible in April Morning

8. Adam - a Hebrew word meaning” man.” This is the name given to the first man in the stories of creation. In the New Testament, Adam is spoken of as representing all mankind. • Moses - leader of the Hebrew tribes in their escape from Egypt and on their journey to Canaan (Land of Promise). Moses is the most significant figure in the history of Israel. He was a prophet, a priest, a judge, and a lawgiver. The exodus under Moses’s leadership was the beginning of Israel as a people. Moses died on Mt. Nebo just as he had brought the Hebrews to the border of Promised Land. Biblical Allusions

9. Sarah - means “Princess”--the wife of Abraham who in her old age became mother of Isaac. Sarah’s part in the patriarchal customs of hospitality is seen in her personal attention to the baking of fresh bread for guests. • Ruth - in the Old Testament, faithful daughter-in-law of Naomi, to whom she was devoted. When her husband died, she chose to go with her mother-in-law instead of returning to her own people. Hers is a story of personal devotion, as well as protest against racial bigotry. “Ruth” means companion. Biblical Allusions

10. Levi - son of Joseph whose descendants became the rabbis of ancient Israel. • Solomon - in the Old Testament, a man who was famous for his wisdom. He created a strong central government, built the temple in Jerusalem, created a large army, developed a navy, and increased Israel’s trade with foreign countries. • Holy Writ (5) - the Bible Biblical Allusions

11. Lamentations (6) - in the Old Testament, a series of poems mourning the destruction of Jerusalem. The poems are sad, yet there is a confession of sin and hope for the future. All the cruelty of the invading army of the Babylonians, the sickness and hunger, the helplessness of the Jewish leaders, and the destruction of the temple are described. It shows confidence in God and hope for the future. • High Church - a group in the Anglican Church that emphasizes church authority, the liturgy, and the sacraments (not Biblical but definitely part of the religious landscape in the novel). Biblical Allusions

12. Maccabees (29) - four books dealing with Jewish history, legend, and law. The Maccabean family won religious and political freedom for the Jews and ruled them for 100 years. It is believed the name means “hammer.” The Maccabean rebellion took place because Antichus tried to force Hellenistic culture on the Jews and destroy Judaism. By employing guerrilla warfare, the Maccabean family won the war and therefore religious freedom for the Jews. Biblical Allusions

13. Haaman (HAY-mehn) (33) - in the Old Testament, the prime minister of Persia. He plotted to have all the Jews in Persia killed because Mordecai, a Jew and the cousin of Esther, would not bow down to him. He was executed on his own gallows when his plot to massacre the Jews was discovered by Esther, the queen. • Job (johb) (34) - in the Old Testament, righteous and good man who patiently accepted repeated calamities. All his possessions, his children, and finally his health were taken from him. Through all this his faith in God held steady. He discussed the situation with his friends and they discussed the problem of why God allows the good people to suffer, but they couldn’t find the answer. At the end of the poem, God speaks to Job and gives him the key to the answer. Biblical Allusions

14. Jeremiah (34) - Hebrew prophet of the 6th and 7th centuries B. C. who denounced the people of Judah for their neglect of the true service of God, for their injustices to one another and for their worship of idols. He urged the people to repent, but they wouldn’t listen, and he was even punished for his efforts. • Nahum (34) - in the Old Testament, a Hebrew prophet of the century B.C. who predicted the fall of Ninevah (capital of Assyria). The Babylonian empire was growing strong. The armies of Babylonians attacked and defeated the Assyrian capital of Nineveh. Nahum saw the fall of the Assyrian enemy as a great blessing. He used this event to demonstrate what happens when a nation (Assyria) outrages the conscience of humanity. Biblical Allusions

15. Judges (35) - book of the Old Testament containing the history of the Israelites from the death of Joshua to the birth of Samuel. Between the time of Joshua and David, the judges were military leaders who delivered the Israelites from their enemies. “Judge” was also used as a title for God, who is the judge of all the earth. Biblical Allusions

16. How does the author’s use of Biblical allusions in April Morning help the reader to understand the main characters at a deeper level? Question to consider