A Girl Called Samson

The just, honorable, and disillusioned John Paterson is the protagonist’s love interest. Samson offers the following description of the general when she first sees him in Chapter 9: “He was brawny and tall with a thick mane of auburn hair pulled back into a tail at his nape. He was not old—not at all” (113). Her observations regarding his age and physique hint at the attraction she feels toward him. Samson greatly admires Paterson’s integrity, and one of the key scenes in which Harmon establishes this trait occurs when he allows Phineas to whip him because that is the only justice he can offer the mutineers. His strength of character sways the deserters, convincing them all to return to their posts, “reassured by the promise that General Paterson would continue to fight for them” (293). Paterson’s commitment to justice explains why Washington relies on him to resolve conflicts and why the protagonist considers him “the best man [she’s] ever known” (300). However, Harmon adds tension and depth to Paterson’s character by pitting his commitment to law and order against his desire to protect the woman he loves. In addition to his inner struggle over keeping Samson’s secret, the disillusioned general feels conflicted about leaving Elizabeth behind, and his wife’s death leaves him wondering why he is “still fighting in this endless war” (222). Despite his inner conflict and weariness with the war, Paterson’s sense of honor and justice drive him to keep fighting.

As Samson’s love interest, Paterson exerts a major influence on the protagonist’s actions. Well before Samson enlists in the army, Paterson’s letters heighten her burning desire to prove herself and fight for independence. During her military service, many of Samson’s most suspenseful feats are performed to protect him, and he also persuades her to leave the army toward the end of the novel. The tension between Samson’s desire to be close to Paterson and her determination to protect her secret add yet another layer of intrigue to the novel, and their slow-burn love story combines the genres of historical fiction and romance. For example, Paterson fulfills one of the classic plot elements of romance fiction when he passionately confesses his feelings for the protagonist, declaring, “I am in love with you. Desperately. And I am afraid everyone will see it” (317). Paterson ultimately falls in love with Samson because she offers him hope after the horrors of war have caused him to question his ideals and sacrifices. Samson and Paterson’s reunion after the war and his support of Samson’s speaking tour are key factors in the story’s positive ending.

Although she does not appear directly in the text, the kind, generous, and sophisticated Elizabeth Paterson has a powerful influence on the novel’s plot and structure. She is General Paterson’s first wife and Samson’s beloved friend and pen pal. Paterson describes his late spouse in Chapter 17, saying, “She was small and… round, she would say, though she knew she was round in the way most women want to be round. Fair skin, dark hair, big… brown eyes” (222). Elizabeth’s appearance contrasts with that of the tall, lean, and light-haired Samson, causing the protagonist to question whether the general would find her attractive.

Elizabeth first learns of Samson through her uncle, Reverend Conant, who describes his niece as “a woman of consequence” (14). Samson is deeply moved by her kindness in writing to a 10-year-old who is far beneath her social station. Another of Elizabeth’s traits is her generosity. Paterson remembers her with deep gratitude, saying, “She gave me three children, she gave me peace of mind, she gave me friendship and support. She gave and gave” (222). Paterson’s high esteem for Elizabeth exacerbates the guilt he feels over being away from her for so long. Elizabeth’s elegance, kindness, and generosity leave a deep impression on her loved ones.

Elizabeth is a static character who dies early in the novel, but she has a strong influence on Samson and Paterson’s development. One of the chief obstacles to the couple’s romance is their concern that a relationship between them would betray Elizabeth’s memory, but they conclude that she would be glad to know that two people she loved have found happiness together. The protagonist cherishes Elizabeth as her “very first friend” (368), and throughout her life, Samson draws comfort from addressing her diary entries to Elizabeth. Additionally, Elizabeth exemplifies The Courage and Resilience of Women in History by raising three children while her husband is at war. Unlike Samson, most historical women did not cast off their societal roles and spend part of their lives passing as men. Thus, Elizabeth’s character allows Harmon to honor the important contributions that women made within the traditional roles of wife and mother. As Samson attempts to find her place in Lenox near the end of the novel, she feels that Elizabeth’s decision to save her letters has helped her connect to the Paterson family. In this way, Elizabeth’s kindness and generosity pave the way for the novel’s positive conclusion. Although Elizabeth dies quite early in the narrative, her influence on the protagonist extends throughout the novel.

The mischievous, patriotic, and loyal Agrippa Hull is one of Deborah Samson and John Paterson’s staunchest allies. He makes a strong impression on Samson when she first sees him at West Point, for she observes, “Hull had a flashing smile, a direct gaze, and a set to his shoulders that bespoke self-assurance, like he knew he belonged—or perhaps didn’t care to” (131). Hull’s confidence in the face of the attention he receives as a Black man in the majority-white Continental Army adds to Samson’s admiration, and the two characters become kindred spirits. After Samson moves into Moore House, she learns more about Hull, including his “affinity for mischief” (184), which he demonstrates by borrowing Colonel Kosciuszko’s uniform for a costume party. Pranks notwithstanding, Hull is serious about his love for his country, as evidenced by his military service and his decision to remain in the United States rather than accepting Kosciuszko’s invitation to join him in Europe after the war. Another of his key traits is steadfastness. After she saves Paterson, Hull extends his allegiance to her, and they remain fast friends for life.

Agrippa Hull’s role as the protagonist’s friend and ally makes him an important supporting character. Drawing from his expertise as aide-de-camp to Colonel Kosciuszko, he trains Samson when she takes on the role of General Paterson’s aide, and he also offers his support during other decisive moments. For example, he helps Paterson to bring Samson home from the hospital and protects her secret, then looks after the general when Samson’s discharge prevents her from doing so herself. In addition, Hull’s antics offer comic relief in a novel with an otherwise serious tone. Additionally, as a freeborn Black man, Hull adds another voice to the novel’s commentary on enslavement and the struggle for personal freedom. As he fights for American independence, he is keenly aware that thousands of Black people living in America are enslaved. Similar to Samson’s struggle for gender equality, Hull fights not just for the nation as it is but for the promise of what it can become.