Paul Reveres Ride Essay -- essays papers

Paul Reveres Ride Paul Revere's Ride is a collection of historical accounts centering around Paul Revere's midnight ride to warn the countryside of the battles that occurred. The novel is made up of narrative accounts that tell the whole story of the midnight ride. David Hackett Fischer goes to great lengths to cover every possible angle in telling the story. "Fischer illuminates the figure of Paul Revere, a man far more complex than a simple artisan and messenger"(3). By adding different perspectives he allows the reader to see not only the American idealistic point of view, but we get a chance to hear British accounts of these particular events. In this way Hackett Fischer paints an accurate and unbiased picture not only of Paul Revere and his ride, but also of many other supporting historical figures that were important in making these events happen. Paul Revere's Ride also does an outstanding job of giving the reader a more in-depth perspective about these events by providing a number of first hand accounts from various sources. This technique personalizes the events to the reader and allows him or her to feel more connected to the people in the novel. One such account takes place when Hackett Fischer describes the "Ipswich Fright". "All the horses and vehicles in the town were put in requisition: men, women, and children hurried as for life toward the north. Large numbers crossed the Merrimack, and spent the night in deserted houses of Salisbury, whose inhabitants, stricken by the strange terror, had fled into New Hampshire â€Å"(171). Instead of merely saying that people were in a panic, this accounts adds strength to his assertions. With this detail, the reader can actually make a visual picture the type of panic that took place. Hackett Fischer's in depth descriptions of the typical attire of the participants in these events was also very helpful in allowing the reader to feel more connected with what really happened. Hackett Fischer describes the uniforms of many of the various ranks of British soldiers. Specifically, he describes the British Regulars in great detail. "The most distinctive part of the uniform was the heavy red coat. For grenadiers and line companies this was a garment with long tails that descended nearly to the knee. The light infantry wore short jackets that ended at the hip, and were much prefer... ... He was renowned for his silversmithing, which was his most successful occupation. "He had a brilliant eye for form, a genious for invention, and a restless energy that expressed itself in the animation of his work. Two centuries later, his pieces are cherished equally for the touchmark of their maker and the vitality of his art"(15). By giving some insight into Paul Revere the man, rather than Paul Revere the legend, Fischer gives strength to his historical assertions. In conclusion, David Hackett Fischer effectively tells the story of Paul Revere's ride in a way that completely and accurately depicts the events. By developing many of the historical figures that are not as well known as Paul Revere, Hackett Fischer gives the reader a more distinctive understanding of these particular historical events. Paul Revere's Ride also personalizes these events by providing numerous first hand accounts that strengthen the imagery. As a whole, the novel is an effective and interesting historical account that accurately tells the famed story of Paul Revere's midnight ride. Bibliography: Paul Revere's ride, David Hackett Fischer,Imprint New York : Oxford University Press, 1994.