The Bronze Bow

Elizabeth George Speare’s The Bronze Bow was originally published in 1961 and won the Newberry Medal for excellence in children’s literature in 1962. Told in the third-person limited perspective of the young Jewish protagonist, Daniel, this work of historical fiction takes place in Galilee during the time of Jesus. The Jews search earnestly for a leader to liberate Israel from Roman occupation, and Daniel dedicates his life to avenge his father’s murder at the hands of Rome. Despite being driven by hatred, Daniel learns from Jesus’s teachings and his own experiences that the only thing stronger than hate is love.

Plot Summary

Eighteen-year-old Daniel bar Jamin is standing atop a mountain overlooking Galilee, remembering village life. After Roman occupiers murdered his father to set an example, eight-year-old Daniel vowed to avenge his father and fight the Romans as long as he lives. He and his younger sister, Leah, who never leaves home after witnessing their father’s murder, move in with their grandmother. When their grandmother becomes ill, she sells Daniel to Amalek, a cruel blacksmith. Daniel escapes to the mountain, where Rosh the outlaw takes him in. Daniel finds an outlet for his hatred in Rosh’s band, whose members are planning to overthrow the Romans. At the mountain in present day, Daniel spots his old classmate Joel bar Hezron and Joel’s twin sister, Malthace. Joel wants to join Rosh’s band, and since the Hezron family is moving to Capernaum, Rosh tasks him with being a spy there.

Rosh sends Daniel on a mission to capture a black slave whom they name Samson for his brute strength. Samson doesn’t understand their language but treats Daniel as his master after Daniel breaks his chains. One day, Daniel’s old friend Simon the Zealot comes to the mountain to ask Daniel to visit his grandmother and sister. Daniel witnesses the dire conditions they live in and is desperate to return to freedom on the mountain. Simon takes him to listen to a visiting carpenter-turned-preacher named Jesus. Though Jesus’s persona and words ignite a fire in Daniel’s heart, he is disappointed when Jesus doesn’t make a call to arms against Rome. After returning to the mountain, Daniel tries to recruit Joel and not only fails but also angers Joel’s father by arguing about the Zealot cause. Daniel is hurt badly when he picks a fight with a Roman soldier. Joel and Malthace hide Daniel in a passageway to recover, and Daniel shares his family’s tragedy with them. The three forge a new vow to fight for God’s Victory, and Malthace chooses the bronze bow as their sign, symbolizing God strengthening them to do the impossible.

Daniel and Joel visit Jesus in Bethsaida, where Jesus heals the sick and preaches his words. When Daniel learns that his grandmother is dying, he returns to his village. His grandmother dies, and he is left in charge of Leah. Now following Jesus, Simon offers Daniel his house and blacksmith shop. There, Leah enjoys household tasks, works at her loom, and befriends Malthace. While working, Daniel recruits boys for Rosh’s army. They change their meeting place when a young blond-haired Roman soldier begins to frequent the shop. While Joel throws himself into spying, Daniel bonds with Malthace. When the Romans capture Joel and Rosh refuses to help rescue him, Daniel sees Rosh for the calculating, selfish man he is and breaks from his band.

With his band of untrained boys, Daniel’s attempt to free Joel is only successful when Samson sacrifices himself. Though Joel gives up his studies for the cause, Daniel tells Joel he will be of better use as a scholar. A disheartened Daniel shares his troubles with Jesus, who tells Daniel that hate is the enemy—he can only obtain God’s kingdom by choosing love. When Daniel watches Malthace dance among her wealthy peers, Daniel turns away her profession of love on account of his vow for vengeance. Daniel learns that Leah has fallen in love with the Roman soldier who frequented his shop and cruelly berates her until she is again possessed by demons.

Daniel searches for Jesus and learns that Jesus has proclaimed himself as the Messiah and has left. Simon explains to Daniel that Jesus will never fight against the Romans—their only true chains are fear and hatred. Daniel rejects Jesus’s promise of the kingdom and runs home to find Leah dying. He realizes that the sword meant for Rome will have caused both Samson and Leah to perish. When Jesus arrives and heals Leah, Daniel finally gives in to love. He then invites the Roman soldier into his home to see Leah.