Title: Jack
Author: Marilynne Robinson
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Genre: Fiction, Literary Fiction
Year of Publication: 2020
Date of Publication: September 29, 2020
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 0374279308
ISBN-13: 978-0374279301
Summary
Jack is a novel set in post-war America.
The book focuses on the unlikely romance between Jack, a troubled drifter, and Della, an African-American schoolteacher.
The story explores themes of faith, redemption, and the challenges of interracial love in a deeply segregated society.
Main Plot & Characters
Jack Boughton, the black sheep of his family, grapples with a sense of purposelessness and despair.
He meets Della Miles, and despite the social stigma and legal obstacles surrounding their interracial relationship, they find solace in each other.
The novel explores their shared humanity, struggles, and the societal barriers that define them.
- Jack Boughton: A white man grappling with his past transgressions and a sense of unworthiness, seeking meaning and redemption.
- Della Miles: An African American woman of deep faith and conviction, who challenges societal norms through her relationship with Jack.
- Reverend John Ames: Jack’s father, whose expectations and disappointments influence Jack’s self-perception and choices.
Key Themes of Jack
- Faith and Redemption: Explores themes of salvation, forgiveness, and the quest for meaning.
- Love and Prejudice: Highlights the complexities and resilience of interracial relationships.
- Identity and Alienation: Follows Jack’s journey of self-acceptance and his struggle with his own flaws.
- Social Inequality: Examines the impact of racial discrimination and the quest for justice.
Writing Style
Marilynne Robinson’s writing shows the moral and deeper sides of her characters’ lives.
Impact of Jack
The novel explores themes of love, faith, and societal boundaries.
Be the first to comment