The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
"The Bronze Bow" by Elizabeth George Speare is a historical novel set in first-century Galilee during the Roman occupation. The story follows Daniel bar Jamin, a young man deeply affected by the trauma of losing his parents to Roman soldiers. Driven by a desire for revenge and freedom, he joins a band of robbers led by Rosh, believing that violent resistance is the key to liberating his people. As Daniel navigates his tumultuous emotions and evolving beliefs, he is confronted with the realities of his family's struggles and the compassionate teachings of Jesus.
The novel explores themes of hatred, loyalty, and the complexity of human relationships against the backdrop of historical conflict. Daniel's journey involves significant personal growth as he grapples with his fierce resentment towards the Romans and ultimately learns the power of love and forgiveness. The contrasting perspectives of characters like Joel and Simon underscore the varied responses to oppression and the emergence of new faith. "The Bronze Bow" is recognized for its rich historical context, and its exploration of inner conflict resonates with readers, offering insights into the timeless nature of human struggles.
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The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
First published: 1961
Type of work: Historical fiction
Themes: Coming-of-age, emotions, family, friendship, race and ethnicity, and religion
Time of work: 29-30 c.e.
Recommended Ages: 13-15
Locale: Galilee in the land of Palestine
Principal Characters:
Daniel Bar Jamin , a Jewish boy, orphaned by atrocities of Roman soldiersRosh , leader of a robber band, whom Daniel views as the possible MessiahSimon the Zealot , who reminds Daniel of responsibilities to his family and provides him with needed resourcesJoel Bar Hezron , son of a Pharisee, who swears to help Daniel defeat the RomansMalthace , Joel’s twin sister, who joins the boys in their oathLeah Bar Jamin , Daniel’s emotionally distraught younger sisterJesus , the Messiah, teacher, and healer who changed lives
The Story
Set in Galilee during the Roman occupation, The Bronze Bow is the story of Daniel bar Jamin and his sister Leah, orphaned by atrocities of the Roman soldiers. Daniel swears to devote his life to defeating his oppressors. Following the death of their parents, Daniel and Leah are left in the care of their grandmother in the small village of Ketzah.
Five years elapse and Daniel, now eighteen, having run away from the blacksmith to whom he was sold, has joined a robber band. The leader of this band is Rosh, whom Daniel believes to be the only one capable of breaking the Roman bands of captivity. From the hillside caves, the robbers swoop down on rich merchants and caravans to replenish their larder.
Joel and Malthace, twin son and daughter of a Pharisee from Daniel’s village, burst into his life as they climb up to the caves on a final holiday before moving to Capernaum. As Daniel shares his vision of Rosh’s leadership, a flame ignites within Joel, who promises to use his social position to assist the robber chief. Later, Simon, a friend and fellow blacksmith from Ketzah, brings news that Daniel’s former owner has died and urges him to return to his village and care for his grandmother and sister.
On returning, Daniel discovers much that needs attention. His grandmother and sister live as paupers, the house is in ill repair, and Leah suffers from severe bouts of emotional distress. Daniel, feeling trapped by the apparent helplessness of his sister and the frailty of his grandmother, accepts Simon’s invitation to the synagogue on the Sabbath. Jesus, a visiting teacher, is speaking. His talk of a coming kingdom intrigues Daniel. Preparation for this kingdom is not with arms and strategy but rather with repentance and compassion. Daniel leaves the synagogue more confused than when he went in. That night he returns to Rosh but soon leaves to visit Joel in Capernaum. Daniel is welcomed warmly by Joel but not so by Malthace. Their parents are properly polite, but Daniel manages to offend Joel’s father and is dismissed from the house. Once outside, he is disrespectful to a Roman soldier and is struck for his impudence. Wounded, Daniel escapes and stumbles through gardens and paths, finally collapsing on the Hezron threshold.
Joel and Malthace hide Daniel in their spacious home and care for his wound. During these stolen hours, Daniel reveals the source of his hatred for the Romans, and the twins share his oath to crush their oppression. They devise a secret symbol, a bronze bow, for Daniel to scratch on the outer wall of the house when he is in Capernaum.
Later, both boys witness the healing and preaching ministry of Jesus but have many questions about the kingdom that he espouses. Simon reveals that he intends to become a follower of Jesus. Daniel returns to the mountain. When Daniel receives a message that his grandmother is dying, he goes to Ketzah and cares for his kin. Daniel finds his house in worse condition than he left it, as is Leah. Following the death of Daniel’s grandmother, Simon bequeaths both his house and blacksmith shop to Daniel. While establishing a steady business, Daniel cares tenderly for Leah.
Eventually, through an escapade that almost costs Joel his life, Daniel recognizes Rosh for the greedy thief he is. With this realization, Daniel no longer suffers from loyalties divided between the village and the mountain. When Leah becomes critically ill, Malthace brings Jesus to her. As Daniel is confronted with the compassion of Jesus, he realizes that he must renounce his hatred of the Romans. As Jesus heals Leah, Daniel reaches out to a Roman soldier, Marcus, who had tried to befriend his sister, recognizing that love is the force that can bend the bow of bronze.
Context
The Bronze Bow is a work of historical fiction. Accuracy is maintained in descriptions of the topography and customs. Characters display attitudes that represent the era. Values depicted reflect the turmoil of an age in transition, which provided the seedbed for Christianity. Joel and Daniel’s ideologies represent opposite ends of the continuum in their initial response to the occupancy of the Roman army.
Daniel’s thoughts and responses portray the passionate desire of the zealous Hebrews for a military Messiah. Simon’s response to the message of Jesus demonstrates the devotion of those who had only to hear him to know that his profound message required a response. Both young men demonstrate how lives were changed by the teachings of Jesus.
Speare has, in all three of her historical novels, brought her protagonists into conflict with their environment as well as with themselves. In Calico Captive (1959), the feisty, somewhat self-centered Miriam Willard learns to subdue her temper and labor long hours to reunite her sister with her husband and children. Kit Tyler, heroine of the Newbery Medal winner The Witch of Blackbird Pond (1958), is rewarded for her courage by a life she does not dream possible after coming to live with her austere relatives. Daniel bar Jamin realizes, as do Kit Tyler and Miriam Willard, that he must conquer his own emotions before he can find a peaceful solution to his struggle with the environment.
In her second Newbery Award winner, The Bronze Bow, Speare demonstrates again the principle that the most difficult battles to win are those fought within. The concept of self-actualization through acceptance of others is as vital to the modern young person as to those in the first century. Timelessness of theme, coupled with an identification that the reader feels with Daniel, establishes The Bronze Bow as a work of significance.