August 24, 2008

Adam and Joe were separated in age by 12 years, which is a pretty good-sized age gap, especially considering that when Adam was in his teens and dating, he probably had to worry about being caught behind the barn or on the front porch by a blabby-mouthed 4-year old little brother (lol).  No doubt Adam was expected to babysit at times, but I can’t see him ever being resentful of spending time with Joe. 

No doubt Joe got to experience the childhood Ben wished he could have provided for Adam and Hoss.  The youngest Cartwright was born into wealth, had a house to live in, could depend on regular meals, probably had plenty of time for play, and had 2 loving parents.  I think that the entire family spoiled little Little Joe every chance they got.  Adam and Hoss probably made him lots of toys, taught him how to ride a pony, and let him tag along with them around the ranch.

Adam had been born into relative wealth as well since his father and grandfather were in business together at the time.  If Ben had stayed in Boston for a few years after his eldest’s birth, Adam would have grown up quite differently than he did.  He would have been absolutely spoiled by his grandfather, Abel (it’s my understanding that that is one of the perks of being a grandparent–being able to completely spoil your children’s children), and no doubt would have had the run of the chandler’s shop.  He even might have gone out sailing occasionally with his grandfather.  Since Ben promised Elizabeth he’d follow his dream, he left Boston when Adam was still an infant.  By the age of 5, Adam had traveled from Boston to Illinois and experienced the hardships of poverty.  When Joe was born, Adam probably wanted Joe to have everything he never did and had the chance to experience childhood through his youngest brother’s eyes. 

After Marie’s death, Joe’s world was turned upside down.  Then Adam left for college.  Now he was without his mother and oldest sibling.  No one has any idea of how long Adam was actually away, but if it was 4 years he was gone for about half of Joe’s young life.  The readjustment for them both would have been very hard.  The little boy Adam had known was replaced with a tween and the older brother Joe remembered probably seemed very different.  Since Joe was at the age where kids really begin to test their limitations, I think he pushed Adam’s buttons to find out what the boundaries were in their relationship (Joe had most likely already worked this out with Pa and Hoss and knew exactly what he could get away with).

I have a hard time believing stories where Adam and Joe practically hate each other.  That’s not supported at all in the series.  Sure they had their disagreements, like any siblings would, yet they always made up.  Each was very protective of the other and would go to the ends of the earth if they had to in order to ensure the other’s safety.  There are some terrific stories by some extremely talented authors out there that show this love and protectiveness.  

Their relationship is one I enjoy exploring, especially in prequels where Joe is a tween and testing Adam to see what he can get away with.  I think they exasperated each other quite a bit just because of the differences in their personalities.  Each has the Cartwright temper and is capable of losing it when pushed beyond their limits.  Joe would never intentionally hurt Adam–physically or emotionally–and Adam would definitely never intentionally hurt his youngest brother.  No doubt they exchanged hurtful words quite a bit but I’d like to think they apologized after their tempers cooled off and without any prodding from Pa or Hoss. 

The best phrase I’ve seen to describe Adam and Joe is two sides of the same coin.  I  think that’s a great description–each is different in his own way yet both are Cartwrights.

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