Joshua Andersen

Oct. 5, 2015
Hon LA 11 Per. 8B
Literary Analysis Essay
Fighting for Freedom
For several hundred years, people have been making journeys to America. In
The Free Man, Conrad Richter describes how a young man comes to America as
Henry Dellicker and starts a new life with a new name. He came to colonial
Pennsylvania looking for a different lifestyle, which is what he got, but not the way
he was expecting. He was made as an indentured servant, but his own sense of
free spirit caused him to change this way of living, and he changed his whole life.
This novel gives a great example on the importance of doing what you believe to be
right and acting on those same beliefs, and fighting for freedom that included not
only his own but also America.
In the first place, when Henry first arrives in America, he is told of his
unfortunate situation in which he is to be an indentured servant. This outrages him.
In the first couple days of his servitude, he is very candid and explains plainly to his
owner about the dire circumstances he is in. He declares, I will not keep from
saying what I think. Not for anybody (57). This statement clearly shows how
important it was to him to be able to have free speech, which actually became the
First Amendment in the Bill of Rights. His free spirit soon guides him to escape and
flee the colony.
Sooner or later, Henry vanishes and finds himself wandering about and
eventually comes to a valley in the mountains with people such as hunters.
Curious, they inquire his name and if hes a runaway. Under a lot of stress, he
exclaims that his name is Henry Free-and-Equal. Overtime, they would grin and
call him Free-and-Equal, which in time became simply Free (102). Thus we see

how his name became different, just as his life did too. Very quickly, he becomes a
clerk there for a store and begins to be more involved in the affairs of America.
As he starts this new life, he appears to take on a larger stance in the
freedom of America. For instance, in several parts in the novel, Henry loudly
proclaims these words, Down with the King! This plainly shows his idea that
America should be a free country, where it cannot be ruled by the king or a
monarchy. It is easy to see his transformation as he becomes a full-fledged
American and stands for freedom. He was no immigrant any more. He was an
American with his eyes open (140).
In essence, the novel undoubtedly describes how one must embrace their
inner spirit and strive to do what feels right. Back then, just as it is now, it was
always important to know which side one is on, and if that person is going to take a
stand. Henry Free fought as a resilient patriot in the Revolutionary War. People like
him played a fundamental role in the development of America and influenced the
life we live today.

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