John Adams Thomas Jefferson Physical Characteristics
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Working With Comparisons: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and the Rhetoric and Art of the American Revolution From HBO’s John Adams mini-series based on the biography by David McCullough Episode 1: “Join or Die” (The Boston Massacre) 1 C. Barrera 2012 Name ________________________________________ Date _______________ Class _________________ Viewing Guide- John Adams (miniseries) Episode 1- “Join or Die” Boston 1770 1. What is the significance of the “Tory” sign on the skeleton hanging off the trees in the opening sequence? 2. Characterize John and Abigail Adam’s relationship when Abigail looks at John and immediately knows that he has lost his case. 3. Characterize John Adams as a father. 4. John Adams hears a distant crowd yell, “fire!” What does John initially think this is? 5. Describe Samuel Adams’ reaction to the massacre. 6. What is the significance about Crispus Attucks death? 7. Why was the bloodied visitor at the Adams’ house? Speculate why he was bloodied. 8. What warning does Abigail Adams give John Adams about defending Captain Preston? 9. Explain Abigail Adams statement, “They will say you are the Crown’s man!” 2 C. Barrera 2012 10. What is Captain Wilson’s explanation for the massacre? 11. What is Sam Adams’ political motive for having a procession after the massacre? 12. Contrast Paul Revere’s sketch of the Boston massacre with reality. 13. Explain Abigail Adam’s comment to John, “Mask your intelligence with more patience than those less intelligent that you.” 14. Mr. Goddard, the first witness, admits the crowd carried clubs. Why does he admit this? 15. Mr. Goddard testifies that Captain Preston was located where when the shooting began? 16. How does the crowd exert pressure on Mr. Holmes, the second witness? 17. Does Mr. Holmes admit that the crowd shouted to fire to the soldiers before the shooting began? 18. How does John Adams persuade Richard Palmes to testify at the court? 19. Where does Richard Palmes testify as to the location of Captain Preston during the shooting? 20. When did Palmes testify that he heard Captain Preston command the men to fire? 3 C. Barrera 2012 21. What suggestion does Abigail Adams give John Adams about his statement as she is editing it? 22. In his closing speech, what is John Adams’ main argument? 23. The jury’s decision is: 24. How does Samuel Adams feel about John Adams after his cousin won the case that set the British soldiers free? 25. Did John Adams use ethos (morals), logos (logic) or pathos (emotion) to make his case? 4 C. Barrera 2012 Name ________________________________________ Date _______________ Class ________ CLOSE READING: Comparison and Contrast between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson Directions: Read the passage from David McCullough’s biography John Adams that compares John Adams to Thomas Jefferson. As you read, take notes on the graphic organizer. Identify the specific characteristics of each man. Characteristics John Adams Thomas Jefferson Physical Characteristics Interests Views of mankind 5 C. Barrera 2012 Characteristics John Adams Thomas Jefferson Personal writing Interaction with people Views of the homeland Other notes 6 C. Barrera 2012 Teaching Notes Selected screen-captured images from the episode with explanations can be found at this link. If you have an HBO subscription, the series can be accessed at this link. iTunes has the episode for less than $5.oo at this link. Amazon.com has the episode for download at less than $4.00 at this link. Answer Key for the Viewing Guide Boston 1770 1. What is the significance of the “Tory” signs on the skeleton hanging off the trees in the opening sequence? Tories are those that are loyal to the crown of England. There is rebellion in the air in Massachusetts. 2. Characterize John and Abigail Adam’s relationship when she looks at John and immediately knows that he has lost his case. They knew each other deeply both personally and professionally. He would call her his greatest confidant. 3. Characterize John Adams as a father. He could be both affectionate and distracted as a father. He would spend years away from his family. 4. John Adams hears a distant crowd yell, “fire!” What does John initially think this is? Because he runs to get a water bucket, he thinks the town is ablaze. 5. Describe Samuel Adams’ reaction to the massacre. 7 C. Barrera 2012 He is irate and calls the soldiers murderers. John has to restrain him. 6. What is the significance about Crispus Attucks death? He is not only the first to die in the Revolutionary War but he is African-American. 7. Why was the bloodied visitor at the Adams’ house? Speculate why he was bloodied. He was asking John Adams to defend him in court. Adams has reputation as a fair man. The crowd possibly recognized him from the night before and beat him. 8. What warning does Abigail Adams give John Adams about defending Captain Preston? Adams will become the most despised man in Boston if he does so. 9. Explain Abigail Adams statement, “They will say you are the Crown’s man!” John could be viewed as a man more loyal to England than to the colonies. 10. What is Captain Wilson’s explanation for the massacre? His men were abused by the crowd, who was throwing objects. He gave no orders to fire. He was standing in front of his men. After violence began (from the crowd), the men acted in self-defense. 11. What is Sam Adams’ political motive for having a procession after the massacre? He wants to mobilize the colonists towards revolution. 12. Contrast Paul Revere’s sketch of the Boston massacre with reality. The drawing has the British Troops shooting directly into an orderly crowd, this isn’t the way it probably happened. 8 C. Barrera 2012 13. Explain Abigail Adam’s comment to John, “mask your intelligence with more patience than those less intelligent that you.” She understands her husband’s genius and sincerity. She also knows that his impatience and temper will have others ignore the genius and think him obnoxious, arrogant and pedantic. 14. Mr. Goddard, the first witness, admits the crowd carried clubs. Why does he admit this? He believes that anyone native to Boston will understand that the clubs are what workingmen in Boston, who make rope, have to carry. 15. Mr. Goddard testifies that Captain Preston was located where when the shooting began? He was behind his men, the British soldiers. 16. How does the crowd exert pressure on Mr. Holmes, the second witness? They come close to him as he testifies in an intimidating manner. 17. Does Mr. Holmes admit that the crowd shouted to fire to the soldiers before the shooting began? Yes. He states, they said “Fire, damn you, Fire.” 18. How does John Adams persuade Richard Palmes to testify at the court? Adams visits him at his place of work appealing to not having innocent men die in Palmes’ name. 9 C. Barrera 2012 19. Where does Richard Palmes testify as to the location of Captain Preston during the shooting? In front of his men, not where a Captain would order a shooting since he is in the line of fire. 20. When did Palmes testify that he heard Captain Preston command the men to fire? Only after the first shot. 21. What suggestion does Abigail Adams give John Adams about his statement as she is editing it? Take out all the quotations by great men. You do not need to quote great men to prove you are a great man…all this proves is his vanity. 22. In his closing speech, what is John Adams’ main argument? Judge by the facts and evidence. The men had to defend themselves. 23. The jury’s decision is: “not guilty.” 24. How does Samuel Adams feel about John Adams after his cousin won the case that set the British soldiers free? Respect. He feels John will now have a reputation for impartiality and this will be useful for the rebels when they will need him to deal with the British Government in the future. 25. Did John Adams use ethos (morals), logos (logic) or pathos (emotion) to make his case? He used all three. Have students cite specific examples. 10 C. Barrera 2012 Answers to the Close Reading Exercise: Directions: Read a passage from David McCullough’s biography John Adams that compares John Adams to Thomas Jefferson. As students read, have them take notes on the graphic organizer. The text can be found here: http://books.google.com/books?id=E9TOxypjZY4C Scroll forward to page 111. The passage begins in the fifth paragraph with “At thirty-three, Thomas Jefferson was the youngest of the Virginia delegates…” Have students read until four pages later ending before they read the opening sentence of the paragraph that begins, “If there was a tide in the affairs of men…” 11 C. Barrera 2012 Answer Key for Close Reading Graphic Organizer Characteristic John Adams Thomas Jefferson Physical Stout, stood four-squared to the Lean and long-limbed, stood Characteristics world, bald arms folded to chest, full head of hair Interests Improvised tools, mathematics, Horsemen, science, horticulture, violin, inventive Views of Important to understand Interested in improving mankind mankind, not interested in mankind improving it Personal Diaries and letters Neat account books writing Interaction Blunt, direct, assertive Gracious, sparkled, abhorred with people dispute, soft-spoken Views of the Devoted to Massachusetts Devoted to Virginia homeland Referred to Massachusetts as Referred to Virginia as “my “my country” country” Other notes Answers may vary Answers may vary 12 C. Barrera 2012 Name ________________________________________ Date _______________ Class ________ Quiz on the Close Reading Assignment- Comparison between “John Adams and Thomas Jefferson” from David McCullough’s John Adams Directions: Read the excerpt from the biography John Adams "John Adams and Thomas Jefferson" (pp.