Rebellion 1776

Set against the backdrop of the American Revolution, Laurie Halse Anderson’s Rebellion 1776 portrays rebellion as both a political upheaval and an essential act of personal growth. The novel parallels the colonies’ fight for national independence with its young characters’ private struggles for autonomy, suggesting that true liberty is achieved by challenging unjust authority on all fronts. The characters’ paths to self-determination begin with defying patriarchal control, which mirrors the colonies’ defiance of the king. Elsbeth Culpepper’s initial defining moment comes when she rejects her father’s plan to evacuate with the Loyalists. Instead of obeying, she hides in a barn overnight. This deliberate choice allows her to remain in Boston and forge her own path, though it comes with unexpected consequences. Her decision, an act of defiance born from the thought “What if he can’t find me?” (40), severs her from paternal authority, but it also eliminates the physical and emotional security that comes with it. As the nation strives for independence, so, too, does Elsbeth. As a result, her decision ultimately forces her into self-reliance. Through calculated deceptions and hard work, she grows into a compassionate young woman who must prioritize her needs alongside the needs of others in order to balance the personal with the politics of war.