Johnny Tremain: Chapters 5–6

by Esther Forbes
The year is 1773, and fourteen-year-old Johnny is an apprentice silversmith in Boston. When a terrible accident threatens his future, Johnny must quickly adapt — just as the American colonists join forces to break free from British rule.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–4, Chapters 5–6, Chapters 7–9, Chapters 10–12
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. seditious
    inciting action or rebellion
    It had been sent to Mr. Lorne, commanding him and the other printers of Boston to quit their seditious, rebellious publications—or else.
  2. ardent
    characterized by strong enthusiasm
    In only a few weeks he changed from knowing little enough about the political excitement, and caring less, to being an ardent Whig.
  3. enmity
    a state of deep-seated ill-will
    Johnny was always ready to do his share, or more than his share, in fanning up friendship—or enmity.
  4. placard
    a sign posted in a public place
    I know it’s Lord’s Day, but there’s a placard I must have printed and posted secretly tonight.
  5. machination
    a crafty and involved plot to achieve your ends
    That worst of Plagues, the detested tea shipped for this Port by the East India Company, is now arrived in the Harbour: the hour of destruction, of manly opposition to the machinations of Tyranny, stares you in the Face...
  6. propriety
    correct behavior
    Contrary to law and decent propriety, Miss Lavinia had been out for a gallop on the Common.
  7. moderator
    someone who presides over a debate or meeting
    The attic where the boys commonly slept looked strange enough with those chairs pulled out and arranged for the meeting. John Hancock sat in the moderator’s chair.
  8. implicit
    being without doubt or reserve
    Here we have with us two of exactly—ah—the sort of boys or young men we intend to use for our great purpose. Two boys in whom we have implicit trust.
  9. divulge
    make known to the public information previously kept secret
    Swear by the great name of God Himself never, for as long as you live, to divulge to anyone the secret matters now trusted to you.
  10. instigate
    provoke or stir up
    Not one is to be told in advance just what the work will be, nor who the others are, nor the names of the men who instigated this tea party—that is, the gentlemen gathered here tonight.
  11. conspirator
    a member of a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act
    Uncle Lorne was motioning to the boys to leave the conspirators.
  12. persevere
    be persistent, refuse to stop
    At first it seemed impossible to hold an axe in his left hand, steady it with his bad right. He gritted his teeth and persevered.
  13. jargon
    a characteristic language of a particular group
    He heard him calling for the captain, promising him, in the jargon everyone talked that night, that not one thing should be damaged on the ship except only the tea, but the captain and all his crew had best stay in the cabin until the work was over.
  14. winch
    a lifting device consisting of a cylinder turned by a crank
    The winches rattled and the heavy chests began to appear—one hundred and fifty of them.
  15. caper
    a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
    ‘Well, boys,’ said a voice, so cold one hardly knew whether he spoke in anger or not, 'you’ve had a fine, pleasant evening for your Indian caper, haven’t you? But mind...you’ve got to pay the fiddler yet.’
    A caper could be a crime, especially a robbery. This can describe the actions of the Tea Party, even though any theft would "ruin the high moral tone of the party." But the chosen definition is a better fit for the voice. Belonging to a British admiral, the voice wants the boys to know that the Tea Party, while not serious enough to threaten England's power, will bring about punishments.
Created on 一月 14, 2016 (updated 四月 3, 2026)

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