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The Age of Reason · Character

Samuel Adams

American revolutionary and political figure referenced by Paine.

minor

Also known as Samuel

First appearance: the age of reason

Samuel Adams's tie to Saul is one of the pressures that moves The Age of Reason—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Paine told Samuel Adams of his long-held intention to publish his thoughts upon religion.
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With Saul (rivalry): Samuel Adams, a revolutionary leader, opposes the tyranny represented by King Saul's monarchy. With Saul (rivalry): Samuel Adams, a revolutionary leader, opposes the tyranny represented by King…

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See Samuel Adams in the age of reason

Character Web

21 connections

A slice of how Samuel Adams sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

SASaulDADavidPAPaulSOSolomonSASatanSASamuel Adams

Relationship types

  • Rivalry
  • Other

Character groups

  • Paine's publishers and allies
  • Biblical military and royal figures
  • Diverse historical and biblical figures

+16 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs as the narrator directly juxtaposes Mark’s doctrine of salvation t…

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Relationships

  • Saul

    rivalry · negative

    Samuel Adams, a revolutionary leader, opposes the tyranny represented by King Saul's… How this plays out →

  • Saul

    rivalry · negative

    Samuel Adams, a revolutionary leader, opposes the tyranny represented by King Saul's… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Samuel Adams in the age of reason

In the story

Samuel Adams appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Samuel Adams unlock in the free preview.

See Samuel Adams in the age of reason