Essay on Charley Skedaddle - 715 Words

Charley Skedaddle Charley Skeddaddle is a story that takes place during the Civil War (1861-1865) in the North. The main character is Charley Stephen Quinn. He was a young boy growing up in New York City without parents. Charley’s older brother Johnny died at the Battle of Gettysburg. We learned about Johnny through Charley’s memories. He lives with his older sister Noreen, who recently became engaged to be married. Charley was involved in a street gang called the Bowery Boys. Charley has had a rough life and has difficulty learning to accept his brother’s death. He wants to get revenge against the Confederate soldiers and this motivates him to join the Union army. He is inspired when he sees a military parade and†¦show more content†¦Gem was killed and this caused Charley’s anger to peak. He shot the Confederate who killed his friend. After realizing what he had done he panics and runs. He keeps running and that us when he earns the name Charley Skedaddle. It is a name that sticks with him for a long time. He was seen by others as being a coward for running. Charley manages to escape the battle fields by hiding in the forest. He was caught by the Confederates but they released him. He finds shelter with Granny Jershua. It is with her he grows up and learns about life and its responsibilities. When he arrived at Granny’s house he was a coward who did not feel worthy of any respect. We see a different Charley leave Granny’s house. It is someone who is confidant and worthy of respect from others. Charley and Granny each helped the other. Granny became the grandmother he never had and it felt good. His maturity is proven when he sets out to rescue Granny. He could have run away but he didn’t. He was determined to rescue Granny and didn’t fear for his own safety. Charley refused to leave Granny until she was well enough to take care of herself. He was persuaded to leave in fear of being found for who he really was. Charley leaves with the understanding that he will be back someday and plans to keep in touch. This story is fictional but it makes you think it could happen in any war at any time. Charley was