A Girl Called Samson Summary, Characters and Themes
A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon is a historical fiction novel that brings to life the courageous story of Deborah Samson, a real-life woman who disguised herself as a man to fight in the American Revolutionary War. Set against the backdrop of 18th-century America, the novel intertwines adventure, romance, and the struggle for freedom.
As Samson battles both on the warfront and against societal norms, the story explores themes of identity, bravery, and resilience, with a narrative that offers a fresh perspective on the contributions of women during a pivotal moment in history.
Summary
Deborah Samson grows up in difficult circumstances, serving as an indentured servant for a harsh widow after her mother can no longer care for her. At the age of ten, she is taken in by the Thomas family, who treat her with kindness.
Surrounded by their ten sons, Deborah becomes accustomed to the hard work of farm life and often competes with the boys, particularly Phineas, one of the brothers.
By the time Deborah is 15, the American Revolution begins with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Several of the Thomas brothers, including Phineas, eagerly enlist, though Deborah stays behind, bound by the limitations placed on women.
As the war continues, Deborah watches as more of her surrogate brothers go off to fight, and some never return. By 20, she becomes the first female teacher in her hometown, yet finds herself unsatisfied with the conventional roles available to her.
Despite her mother’s attempts to arrange a marriage for her, Deborah craves independence. Determined to join the war effort, she disguises herself as a young man, adopts the name Robert Shurtliff, and enlists in the Continental Army.
Her first attempt is thwarted when she’s recognized and sent home in shame.
Undeterred, Deborah travels to a distant town, successfully enlisting without anyone suspecting her true identity.
Deborah becomes a soldier in the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment, serving under Captain George Webb and later under General John Paterson.
Over time, she earns a reputation for her bravery and loyalty, even as she struggles to keep her secret. Deborah begins to develop feelings for General Paterson, a man burdened by the grief of his late wife.
Despite the emotional distance between them, they share quiet moments that strengthen their bond.
In a series of fierce battles, Deborah faces the brutal realities of war. She takes lives, loses comrades, and sustains injuries, including during a mission to retrieve stolen supplies, where she saves General Paterson’s life.
Their relationship deepens as he comes to realize that “Robert” is actually Deborah. Despite the discovery of her true identity, Paterson allows her to remain in the army, recognizing her valuable contributions.
The two eventually confess their love for one another, though Paterson is torn between his feelings and his duty.
After the war ends, Deborah and General Paterson marry in secret. However, her journey takes a dangerous turn when she falls ill with yellow fever while visiting Philadelphia.
Her true identity is exposed to the public when she is treated at a hospital, but Paterson intervenes to protect her from legal consequences.
Following her recovery, Deborah joins the Paterson family at their home, and she and Paterson start a new life together, raising a son and a daughter.
Years later, Deborah embarks on a public speaking tour to share her story, becoming one of the first women to do so.
Reflecting on her extraordinary life as both a soldier and a woman, she recognizes that the fight for freedom and equality is far from over.
Characters
Deborah Samson
Deborah Samson is the central figure of A Girl Called Samson, a strong-willed and determined woman who breaks societal norms by disguising herself as a man to fight in the American Revolutionary War. She is portrayed as resilient and courageous, defying expectations placed on her gender throughout her life.
Growing up as an indentured servant, Deborah is shaped by the harshness of her upbringing, developing a fierce sense of independence and self-reliance. Her time with the kind Thomas family influences her significantly, particularly her close bond with the Thomas brothers.
This bond fosters her love for adventure and her yearning to participate in the Revolutionary War. Even as societal constraints prevent her from enlisting initially, Deborah’s determination leads her to disguise herself as a man and fight under the alias Robert Shurtliff.
Deborah is a multifaceted character whose internal conflict between her love for freedom and her struggle with identity is a significant theme throughout the novel. She constantly negotiates her desire to fight for her country with the societal roles forced upon her as a woman.
Her romantic feelings for General Paterson add emotional complexity to her journey, deepening her internal struggle. Samson’s decision to take on the speaking tour at the novel’s conclusion demonstrates her ongoing fight for recognition, not only as a soldier but as a woman with equal rights.
This illustrates her enduring spirit and resolve.
General John Paterson
General John Paterson is a crucial character in Deborah’s life, serving as her commanding officer and eventual love interest. He is portrayed as a man burdened by loss and the prolonged strain of war, initially appearing despondent and grief-stricken over the death of his wife, Elizabeth.
Despite his emotional state, Paterson proves to be a kind and compassionate leader, taking note of Deborah’s diligence and intelligence long before discovering her true identity. His evolving relationship with Deborah highlights his sense of duty, honor, and deeply held beliefs about integrity.
Once Paterson uncovers Samson’s true identity as a woman, his internal struggle becomes evident. His initial response is protective, not only because of the danger she faces as a woman in disguise but also due to his developing romantic feelings for her.
His proposal and secret marriage to Deborah reveal his deep affection and respect for her. Though he remains guilt-ridden over his feelings, torn between his role as a leader and as a man in love.
Paterson’s character arc ultimately resolves in his acceptance of both Deborah’s bravery and their love. He resigns from the army and builds a life with her.
Phineas Thomas
Phineas Thomas is one of the Thomas brothers and Deborah’s closest companion during her early years at the Thomas family farm. He represents the adventurous, mischievous spirit that fuels Deborah’s desire to be part of the action during the Revolutionary War.
His departure to enlist in the Continental Army is a turning point for Deborah, leaving her yearning to follow in his footsteps but restricted by her gender. Phineas serves as a symbol of both camaraderie and the toll the war takes on individuals and families.
Later in the novel, Phineas’s character undergoes a tragic shift. He returns as a disillusioned and broken soldier, a product of the harsh realities of war.
His involvement in the mutiny within General Paterson’s brigade and subsequent death at Deborah’s hands is a pivotal moment for both Deborah and Paterson. Phineas’s actions and ultimate demise force Deborah to confront the darker consequences of war.
This deepens her emotional connection to Paterson, as it is her act of saving him from Phineas that cements their bond.
Mrs. Thomas
Mrs. Thomas, the matriarch of the Thomas family, serves as a positive maternal figure for Deborah after her tumultuous childhood as an indentured servant. Unlike the abusive Widow Thatcher, Mrs. Thomas is kind, nurturing, and supportive, providing Deborah with a stable and loving environment.
Her influence on Deborah is profound, helping her grow into a confident and strong young woman who feels a deep connection to the Thomas family. While she encourages traditional gender roles, Mrs. Thomas’s care for Deborah allows her to thrive and develop her own sense of self-worth and independence.
Widow Thatcher
Widow Thatcher represents the oppressive forces that Deborah must overcome throughout her life. As an abusive and harsh employer, she embodies the societal constraints placed on women, especially those of lower status, in the 18th century.
Thatcher’s cruelty to Deborah in her childhood fosters the protagonist’s strong sense of justice and rebellion. This pushes her to seek a life outside of servitude and to defy the limitations imposed on her gender.
Thatcher’s treatment of Deborah serves as an early catalyst for her determination to control her own destiny. It lays the foundation for her later decision to fight in the war.
Captain George Webb
Captain George Webb is Deborah’s immediate superior when she enlists under the alias of Robert Shurtliff. He is portrayed as a competent and fair leader who is impressed by Deborah’s skills and dedication to the cause, though he remains unaware of her true identity.
His role is instrumental in helping Deborah integrate into the regiment. He gives her the opportunity to prove herself in battle.
Webb is a secondary but important character who provides Deborah with the space to grow and excel as a soldier. He indirectly contributes to her development as a courageous and resourceful fighter.
Elizabeth Paterson
Elizabeth Paterson, the late wife of General John Paterson, is a character who never appears directly in the novel but whose presence looms large in her husband’s life. She represents a source of deep grief for the general, and her death serves as a catalyst for his emotional distance and sorrow at the beginning of the novel.
While Elizabeth is not alive during the events of the story, her memory affects the relationship between Paterson and Deborah. The general’s love for Deborah is tempered by his guilt over moving on from his late wife.
Elizabeth’s death also symbolizes the losses suffered during the war, further emphasizing the emotional and psychological toll on those involved.
James DeLancey
James DeLancey is the antagonist of the novel, representing the Loyalist forces and profiteers who oppose the Continental Army. He leads a band of loyalist scavengers who prey on American troops and is responsible for several attacks on Samson’s regiment.
These attacks lead to the deaths of some of her closest comrades. DeLancey serves as a foil to Deborah, embodying the chaos and lawlessness that arise during wartime.
His presence in the novel heightens the sense of danger and reinforces the physical and emotional challenges Deborah faces on the battlefield. Through DeLancey’s actions, the novel explores the grim realities of war, particularly the violence, loss, and moral ambiguity that soldiers like Deborah must confront.
Themes
The Struggle for Identity and Autonomy in a Patriarchal Society
A Girl Called Samson brings to light the deep, multifaceted challenge of identity formation in the context of a rigidly patriarchal society. Deborah Samson’s journey illustrates the difficulty of being a woman in a world that consistently undermines female autonomy.
Her decision to disguise herself as a man and fight in the Revolutionary War is not merely a quest for adventure but a symbolic act of defiance against a system that denies her agency and self-determination. Throughout the novel, Samson struggles with societal expectations that confine women to domestic roles.
She rejects the idea that marriage and submission are the ultimate goals for women. Her persistent refusal to marry despite pressure from her mother is a critical moment, signaling her determination to define her own destiny.
Her ultimate decision to become a soldier, even after the humiliation of being exposed the first time, underscores the sheer difficulty of asserting one’s identity in a culture that resists change. Her journey is an intense exploration of the lengths a woman must go to in order to achieve autonomy, especially in an era when gender roles were so narrowly defined.
The Cost of War on Personal and Moral Identity
The novel also forces a deep reflection on how war shapes personal and moral identity, often in destructive ways. For Samson, war is not just a physical battle but an existential challenge that forces her to confront her values, her humanity, and her identity.
Her decision to take lives in combat, her witness to the deaths of her comrades, and the burden of surviving in a brutal landscape are experiences that profoundly affect her moral compass. While she initially joins the Continental Army for personal agency, her exposure to death, violence, and moral compromise forces her to reckon with the profound ethical costs of war.
The most dramatic representation of this is her decision to kill Phineas, the brother figure from her past, who turns on her and General Paterson. Samson’s moral anguish is heightened by the fact that the war transforms those closest to her into enemies or casualties.
Through these harrowing moments, the novel critiques the idealization of war by revealing its capacity to corrode the individual’s sense of morality and humanity. Samson emerges as a character permanently changed, carrying not only physical scars but emotional and ethical ones that reflect the inescapable cost of war on personal identity.
The Intersection of Gender, Power, and Respect
Harmon’s novel intricately examines the intersection of gender, power, and respect, particularly through the lens of Deborah Samson’s experiences as a soldier in a male-dominated world. By choosing to live as Robert Shurtliff, Samson is able to wield power and command respect that would have been unattainable to her as a woman.
Her disguise allows her to transcend the limitations imposed by her gender, but it also exposes the deep-rooted inequities that shape how respect and authority are distributed. Samson’s role as a soldier places her in a position of power, but the discovery of her gender threatens to strip that power away.
This tension speaks to the larger societal belief that women were inherently incapable of fulfilling roles that demanded strength, leadership, or intellectual capacity. Her interactions with General Paterson also reflect the complexities of power dynamics in relationships.
Though their relationship is rooted in mutual respect, it is complicated by societal norms about gender roles and the expectations placed upon men in positions of authority. Even as Samson proves herself repeatedly on the battlefield, her value is constantly tied to her ability to conceal her true identity.
This illustrates the harsh reality that power and respect are often conditional for women in a patriarchal society.
The Fragility of Love in Times of Turmoil and Transformation
Another profound lesson in A Girl Called Samson revolves around the fragility of love, particularly in times of war and personal transformation. Deborah’s relationship with General Paterson reflects not only the complicated nature of romantic love in a time of crisis but also the deep uncertainties that war and personal growth can bring to any relationship.
Their love grows in a context of secrecy, tension, and shifting power dynamics. This highlights how love in such circumstances can be both a source of strength and vulnerability.
The novel portrays how Paterson’s initial admiration for Samson’s intelligence and bravery eventually transforms into romantic love, but the journey is fraught with doubt, guilt, and hesitation. Samson, too, is caught between her love for the general and her desire to remain true to her own sense of identity.
The difficulties they face—the discovery of her gender, her near-death from yellow fever, and Paterson’s internal conflict as a widower—emphasize the fragility of their bond. Love, in the context of war and upheaval, is shown to be tenuous, constantly tested by the external forces of duty, societal expectations, and the emotional scars left by the violence they endure.
Their marriage, carried out in secret, reflects the precariousness of their situation and the sacrifices both must make in order to maintain their relationship. Harmon suggests that love in such times is not only fragile but also inherently unstable, subject to the pressures of the larger social and political forces at play.
The Inescapable Conflict Between Personal Desires and Societal Duties
One of the most challenging lessons that emerges from the narrative is the inescapable conflict between personal desires and societal duties. Samson’s life is marked by a continual struggle to reconcile her personal ambitions with the expectations placed upon her by society, especially as a woman in the 18th century.
Her desire for adventure, autonomy, and recognition stands in direct opposition to the societal belief that a woman’s duty lies in the domestic sphere. The war only amplifies this tension, as Samson is caught between her duty to the Thomas family, her desire to serve her country, and her personal quest for freedom.
Even as she succeeds in joining the army and proving her worth as a soldier, she is never fully free from the constraints imposed by her gender. Her relationship with General Paterson further complicates this dynamic, as she must navigate the conflicting demands of love, duty to her fellow soldiers, and her own sense of personal honor.
Harmon uses Samson’s story to illustrate how societal expectations can serve as an almost insurmountable barrier to personal fulfillment. The tension between duty and desire is often irresolvable.
In the end, Samson’s speaking tour and her reflections on her life underscore this central conflict. She grapples with the recognition that her fight for personal freedom and gender equality is part of a larger struggle that transcends her individual experiences.
The lesson here is that the battle between personal desires and societal duties is an enduring one. It often has no clear resolution, and individuals—especially women—must continuously navigate this challenging path.