"War Hits Home"

Author's Note: In this essay I will be contrasting, instead of comparing, the book, Cast Two Shadows and the movie, The Patriot for Social Studies.

Cast Two Shadows by Ann Rinaldi focuses on a family that goes through the great depression of having their dad sent to jail.  To make it worse if he moves a muscle he will be summoned to death.  Truly there is only one thing that's protecting him from being executed, the fact the he could potentially become an extremely helpful part of the militia.  The Patriot was also an overlook on The American Revolutionary War, but Cast Two Shadows and The Patriot had very contrasting viewpoints upon the War.

Benjamin Martin, the main character in The Patriot, took a giant risk by getting involved in a war where 4,435 colonists gave their life for the freedom of their country.  Unlike when Caroline Whitaker's stepfather is forced into the militia where he valued every breath because, each could be his last.

Both Benjamin Martin and Caroline Whitaker's stepfather were in the militia, one way or another and they both had family at home, which wasn't safe when it came to war.  Benjamin Martin lost two sons by the end of the war.  Where as, Caroline Whitaker's stepfather was given a miracle and survived along with his family.

Family was always a threat when it came to war, along with, burning your home.  Benjamin Martin was once again the unlucky one and lost his house to war.  The famous quote can now apply to him, "War Hits Home."  The stepfather of Caroline Whitaker's house was left untouched because, of the connections they had to Rawdon, one of British generals.

Cast Two Shadows is mostly written in the voice of British loyalists and The Patriot is described from the American colonists which, makes it easy to contrast them.  In the end, I believe war hits home, weather you lose someone or people close to you and your house gets burned down or not.  Being part of the American militia in The American Revolutionary War will change your viewpoint towards everything.  It doesn't matter if you’re on the American or British side of the war.

Sources

Rinaldi, Ann. Cast two shadows: the American revolution in the South. San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 1998. Print.

The Patriot. Dir. Roland Emmerich. Perf. Mel Gibson. Columbia ;, 2000. DVD.