The industrious, strong-minded, and courageous Deborah Samson serves as the novel’s protagonist and narrator. At the beginning of the narrative, she is a tall 10-year-old with hazel eyes and blond hair. In Chapter 7, she turns 21, and the narrative offers a more detailed description of her appearance. As she states, “My mouth was wide, my jaw square, and my cheekbones sharp. The bump on my nose and the thickness of my brows made me more handsome than fine” (85). Samson’s strong features help her to achieve her dream of becoming a soldier, for she finds it easier to pass as a man.

From ages five to 18, Samson works as an indentured servant. Her tireless work ethic reflects the toil demanded of her low social station and also indicates her determination to transcend the drudgery of her origins. While some supporting characters, including Mr. Thomas, criticize her confidence and call her headstrong and proud, she insists that she is “of strong mind. And that was not a sin” (23). Samson’s determination serves her well in her lifelong resolve to challenge the misogynistic limitations of her society. This conflict combines with the wartime

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