what is the resolution in the story “my brother sam is dead”

The resolution to this story is not a happy resolution; however, it is not a surprising resolution. The book is titled My Brother Sam is Dead, and Sam is very much alive for almost the entire book. Near the end of the story, Sam is accused of being a cattle thief, and he is sentenced to be executed. Readers might really want this to not happen, but based on the book's title, we know it's coming. The end of Chapter 14 is not a great resolution. Sam is shot, and his clothes catch on fire. He is not killed instantly either. Instead, he's writhing around in pain as he burns. Fortunately, another soldier fires another shot and puts an end to Sam's suffering.

They had shot him from so close that his clothes were on fire. He went on jerking with flames on is chest until another soldier shot him again. Then he stopped jerking.

The book does contain a short epilogue that sort of gives readers a happier resolution. The narrator is now 64 years old. He's married and has some kids. His life has been fairly prosperous, and the thinks the United States is a great country; however, the epilogue ends with Tim admitting that he still believes war was not the only way to achieve his country's freedom.