Across Five Aprils

In the book Across Five Aprils, by Irene Hunt, is set in the 1800s during the civil state of war among the Union, the northern parts of America, and the confederation, the southern parts of America. The accounting sets off on a farm in southern Illinois, where Jethro and his mother, Ellen Creighton, live with his 8 siblings. As the war escalates, Jethros older brothers and his teacher go to help the war effort. close to of his brothers join the Union but Bill, his favorite brother, goes to join the Confederation.As the story progresses each of the brothers s hold on mails to the family describing how to warfront is doing, which was contrary to how the newspapers defined the warfront. After every triumph and every loss, the public opinion about the war and the Generals change from the slightest maculation of news they hear. In the early stages of the war, Ulysses S. portion early victories for the Union at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. The family celebrates the victory, knowin g nothing of how terrible the battles really were.After General Grants victories, people start to dubiety and compare General McClellan, who was once featured in the newspaper in the north as being a Brilliant General. Later on in the war, the Union forces suffer great losses and General Grant is harshly criticized by the press, who is later praised by the press and the people after the Battle of Gettysburg. This shows how easily influenced people are. They harshly criticize or excessively glorify after every battle and change their opinions about the Generals.Jethro shows his suspiciousness to the press and other peoples opinions when he is asked if he is way out against General Grant. He replies by saying No, I aint. Things went against him-(Ch6 pg. 100). As the war is raging throughout the land, Jethros family receives letters from his brothers. In those letters they describe the terrors of war but try to moderate how much they put in the letter to not make the family worry. J ethro watches as people are overjoyed by the victories and angry about losses.Jethro realizes that there is great contrast between the victories described by his brothers and the victories described in the newspapers. At the near end of the war, Jethro watches as the same people who criticized grant and the Union, cheer and say that I told you so old Unconditional Surrender Grant is the man who impart win the war. (Ch10 pg. 168). This demonstrates how easily people are swayed and how easily they are fitting change their opinions.