Sea Gods
The first chapter opens with the description of the chariot drove by King George. The way the chariot is described is important because it contain many ornamental elements that have a symbolic meaning. On the wheels of the chariot for example, sea gods were carved and they are used here to symbolize the Empire’s dominance over the sea. In a sense, during the 18th century, the British Empire was the divinity that ruled over the great seas of the world.
Caring man
A motif found in the novel is the idea that George Washington is a compassionate man who cares about his country and about his people. In comparison with the British, who had no problem burning down cities just to get closer to wining, Washington commanded his troops to wait and do not attack when the British troops were near some city that would have been destroyed if they were to attack. George Washington doesn’t hesitate to take in ill people when they are sent to him even though he know that he could endanger his troops by exposing them to various contagious illnesses. All this proves that Washington was a kind man who wanted to put the wellbeing of his people first.
Independence
George Washington was more than just a skilled politician in his days: he was a symbol for the American independence. The Americans looked up to Washington as their leader and they saw him as an example when it came to fighting for what was right. But Washington was seen as a symbol for the American independence not only by the Americans but by the British as well and they saw Washington as being the one who started the independence movement.
Symbol for unity
At the end of the year 1775, many of the soldiers who chose to enlist originally in the army decided to return home. Surprisingly, many men from distant colonies decided to join the army and help Washington fight against the British. To celebrate this, Washington ordered a new flag to be designed with thirteen red and white stripes. The flag was used a symbol for the unity between the colonies and for the unity of the American nation against the British one.
Symbol for the American philosophy
The author mentions an important character, Nathanael Green, a young man who rose to power from nothing. Green was a man raised in a normal family, without having the possibility to receive a proper education that would help him succeed in life. Despite all this, Green manages to rise to power through his intelligence, wit and hard work. In this sense, Green is used here as a symbol that stands for the American philosophy based on the belief that everyone willing to work for it and everyone willing to want it can succeed in life.
