41 pages • 1 hour read
Elisa CarboneBlood on the River
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2006A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Character Analysis
Samuel Collier
Samuel is the protagonist of the novel, and through his eyes, the reader learns about his experiences traveling to the New World and settling at James Town. He has lived unhappily on the streets of London for a time as an orphan, so at the start of the story, he is completely alone in the world. Soon, however, his relationships with Reverend Hunt, Captain Smith, and Richard open his heart and heal his childhood injuries. Samuel’s feisty personality mellows as the novel progresses, and he proves to be a fast learner and a clever young man. Samuel does more than just survive James Town; he absorbs as much education as he can from the whole experience, becoming a fully active and valuable member of the community at the same time.
Captain John Smith
Captain Smith is a soldier and explorer with experience, knowledge, and intuition, and his leadership is essential to the survival of the first colonists of the New World. Though Captain Smith is more than capable of managing the expedition to the New World and then the settlement at James Town, he is not respected by the gentlemen traveling with him because he is a “commoner.” Captain Smith resents being treated badly for his lowly status, especially when his integrity and know-how enable the men to live as long as they do. He leaves for England only after he sustains a serious injury to his leg, but even then, he expresses his desire to return to James Town once he has received adequate medical care. Captain Smith’s parting words reflect his drive and his commitment to the expedition, two characteristics that make him a talented leader of men. Samuel has great respect for Captain Smith and values him as a role model.
Reverend Hunt
Reverend Hunt is a model of kindness and compassion for Samuel, and he becomes a sort of father figure for Samuel throughout their time together. Reverend Hunt is committed to bringing Christianity to the New World, and he lives according to the ideals that he teaches. From Reverend Hunt, Samuel learns how to make decisions out of love rather than fear. When Reverend Hunt dies, Samuel’s sadness reveals how close he feels to this man who has given him confidence and self-respect.
Sir Edward Maria Wingfield
Master Wingfield, a gentleman member of the expedition to the New World, is depicted as a power-hungry individual whose primary interest is himself. From the earliest pages of the novel to the chapter in which Master Wingfield is being sent home in dishonor with his compatriot, Master Archer, Master Wingfield’s villainy is apparent. Though he is elected president of the council that leads the James Town settlement, Master Wingfield is not a wise leader who has the best interests of the community at heart. His selfishness becomes criminal when he hoards stores of food for himself as men around him are dying of malnutrition.
Richard
Richard is a loyal servant to Reverend Hunt, and his careful tending to the reverend during the reverend’s final days is commendable, so commendable that Captain Smith wishes Richard to accompany him to England when he must leave James Town for medical reasons. Though the early months of Richard’s relationship with Samuel are marked by hostility and conflict, the boys soon learn to trust one another. Eventually, they become close friends, and Samuel’s descriptions of the development of their friendship provide the reader with a way to trace Samuel’s growing empathy for others and deepening understanding of human nature.
