General Gage Character Analysis in Johnny Tremain

General Gage is the lead commander of the British army in Boston. He’s generally seen as temperate and sensible; indeed, his unwillingness to engage, kill, or arrest rebels enrages King George. However, Gage fears that targeting leaders of the opposition will lead to an uprising, so he allows Whig papers to continue printing and suspected leaders to leave Boston. Gage badly fumbles the opening movements of the Revolutionary War, leading the rebels to find out exactly where the British are going and enabling them to pick off many soldiers before reinforcements arrive.

General Gage Character Timeline in Johnny Tremain

The timeline below shows where the character General Gage appears in Johnny Tremain. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Hanging is on everyone’s mind. The crown orders Governor Hutchinson to England and General Gage is now in charge. Mr. Hancock, Mr. Adams, and Dr. Warren would all be the... (full context)

...British officers a fortune for carrying letters and gives it all to Aunt Lorne. General Gage, meanwhile, tries to keep things civil and doesn’t stop men like Uncle Lorne from publishing.... (full context)

...Mr. Adams asks Johnny to summon the Observers for the last time. He’s afraid that Gage knows about and will hang them, and he asks Johnny to make the best punch... (full context)

...punch bowl, and Rab and Johnny stay for the whole meeting. The men discuss how Gage sent a group to seize weapons and gunpowder in Charleston before any Minute Men could... (full context)

Happily drinking, Dove says that in the spring, the British will march and fight. Gage has been told to confiscate rebel stores, and he knows where the stores are. He’s... (full context)

4. It’s now April, and everyone knows that General Gage will soon strike. He knows the “provincials” have been preparing, and King George is furious... (full context)

1. Spies that General Gage sent out return on April 14, 1774. The next day, a Saturday, Gage posts orders... (full context)

...target practice for them. They’re headed for Concord now, as are thousands of Minute Men. Gage, though, doesn’t know the war has started. As soon as Colonel Smith learned that Paul... (full context)

...one knows what they’re excited about. At the Province House, Johnny can see that General Gage is still asleep—he clearly sent Earl Percy out and went back to bed. At the... (full context)

...shot, and she and Cilla need a man around to care for the horses (General Gage has promised the Lyte house won’t be damaged). Johnny suggests that Goblin come to the... (full context)