The Fifth Of March: A Story of the Boston Massacre

Explore the intersection of liberty and responsibility. Do these values oppose or complement one another? In the novel, how does increased liberty lead to increased responsibility? How do Rachel and other characters navigate the tension between these values?

How do Rachel and other characters maintain their relationships amid rapid social and political change? How does the changing political environment threaten Rachel’s relationships with the people she cares about, and how does it strengthen them?

How do the opinions of others and the atmosphere of Boston contribute to Rachel’s character? How does The Fifth of March explore the relationship between self-image and the perceptions of others?

Explore the impact of names and labels in the world of the novel. How does learning Matthew’s name change the way Rachel sees him? How do labels like “Patriot,” “Loyalist,” “redcoat,” “lobster,” and others change the way people see and interact with each other? What has to happen in order for these perceptions to shift?

Compare and contrast the roles Jane and John Adams play in the conflict against the Crown. How do their social standing, class, and gender affect what they can accomplish within the culture of Colonial Boston? Is one of them more effective in terms of the cause than the other? If so, which and why? If not, what makes them both equally effective?

What factors influence Rachel’s decision to help Matthew after the Boston Massacre? What lessons has she learned about The Responsibility that Comes with Choice, and how prepare to face the potential consequences of her choice?

In Chapter 15, Rachel realizes that Paul Revere’s false image of the Boston Massacre is how the event will be remembered, even though it isn’t true. How do public opinion and desire change how events are remembered? Where is the line between truth and what people choose to remember as fact?

How did the inclusion of real historical figures as characters in the novel affect your reading experience and your ability to relate this fictional account to true events? How does Rinaldi balance historical accuracy with the demands of narrative and characterization? Are these historical and narrative values sometimes opposed to one another?