Across Five Aprils Admiration Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

Jethro flushed. He wished that he could find suitable words of appreciation, but he suddenly felt a great shyness about saying anything in the presence of this man who had actually written a book about correct speech. (5.139)

Getting a little star-struck, Jeth? Ross Milton is probably used to that. And the fact that Jethro gets nervous in thanking Ross shows how in awe he is of the editor. But Jeth doesn't have to worry about that shyness for much longer, because thanks to the book and some one-on-one from Mr. Milton, Jethro is on his way toward speaking like a proper young gent.

Quote #8

But Mr. Lincoln was a man who looked at problems from all sides. Mr. Lincoln was not a faraway man like General McClellan or Senator Sumner or Secretary of State Seward. Mr. Lincoln had plowed fields in Illinois; he had thought of the problems men came up against; he was not ready to say, "Everything on this side of the line is right, and everything on the other side is wrong." (9.140)

Presidents, they're just like us. Jethro appreciates how Lincoln is from his home state of Illinois and worked in the fields like he does. In this aspect, Jethro can relate to the President. But Jeth also respects how Lincoln keeps an open mind toward situations and considers everyone's feelings, which is a super tough thing to do when you're trying to end a civil war.

Quote #9

Jethro didn't know. He loved Mr. Lincoln and felt deeply drawn to him; it angered him to read the mouthings of hate directed toward the President but as to whether the address at Gettysburg was a great one or just another speech, an eleven-year-old farm boy did not know. (11.20)

As far as Jeth is concerned, Lincoln could have read the phone book and it would be worthy of an Academy Award. It doesn't matter if Lincoln's speeches were the greatest thing ever written (though some people will argue they are) because other people's opinions won't change the fact that Jethro thinks Lincoln is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Oh, wait… time warp—we mean the greatest thing before sliced bread.