Joshua Andersen

Oct. 5, 2015
Hon LA 11 Per. 8B
Literary Analysis Essay
Diversity in America
There are many people in history that people dislike and also like. In The
Free Man, by Conrad Richter, there are a few characters that have good qualities
and there are those with the exact opposite. Henry Free, the main character, is a
very likeable character due to his free spirit and funny personality. His owner, Miss
Amity, when he becomes a servant to her, on the other hand, is not likeable at all.
In addition to her, a whole entire people arent the best sounding people just
because of their ideas. These people are classified under the Loyalist side in the
time America was declaring independence.
To start off, Henry Free comes off as a very enjoyable character. In my
opinion, he is the best character in the whole entire novel. He is the best because
hes always so outspoken about his views. He is not afraid to say what is on his
mind and also say what is right. Many times in the novel, he usually yells kind of
randomly, Down with the king! This shows that he has very strong feelings about
how America should be. He wanted to come to America to be free and he certainly
did not want to be ruled by a king that could make every single decision for him.
On the other hand, Miss Amity isnt an appealing person at all. From the first
moment she is introduced into the novel, the author sets a bad tone for her. Shes
very bossy and rude to Henry, especially when shes picking who will be her
servant. When he finally escapes, and begins a new life that he likes, he comes
back a few years later to pay off the debt with his own money. When he makes
himself known, hes accused of his wrongdoings for escaping and still has to
continue his indentured servitude. Hes furious at this, while she doesnt seem to
care in the slightest bit. Just a bound boy for twenty-one years! he mocked her

bitterly (122). She seems to be very inconsiderate and mean to Henry, but in the
end, she turns out a pretty good person and lives up to her name, Amity, meaning
friendship.
Furthermore, the Loyalists or more specifically the British in this story dont
play a very favored role. First of all, unlike Henry, they want to be ruled under the
king. They feel a little more secure knowing that everything they do involves the
British monarchy. They believe everything they do has to go exactly with the British
law. This deeply contradicts Henrys views. At the end, Henry is described
perfectly: He was no immigrant anymore. He was an American with his eyes
open (140). On the contrary, the British didnt want to separate themselves from
England.
In conclusion, The Free Man portrayed many great and different kind of
characters. Henry Free was a symbol of freedom and a happy spirit. Miss Amity
represented how bad can change to good. The British exemplified how people can
become insecure and need the support of another country. From all of these things
in the novel it is easy to learn how people are so different.

Richter, Conrad. The Free Man. Alfred A. Knopf, 1943. Print.