The Given Day
A vivid tale of families in early 20th-century Boston amidst racial and social upheaval.
Summary of 6 Key Points
Key Points
- Post-World War I tensions
- Intersection of two families’ lives
- Racial strife and social class disparities
- A policeman’s moral dilemmas
- Historical events influencing personal lives
- Search for justice and equality
key point 1 of 6
Post-World War I tensions
In the aftermath of World War I, the United States, along with many parts of the world, experienced a period of intense social, political, and economic change. The narrative delves into these post-war tensions, illustrating a landscape of upheaval. Soldiers returned home to find a lack of jobs and a society grappling with reintegration. Many African American soldiers, who had fought abroad for democracy, came back to face the same oppressive racism they had left. The tension was not just racial but deeply class-based, as economic disparities became more pronounced in the face of post-war adjustments…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 6
Intersection of two families’ lives
In ‘The Given Day’, the intersection of two families’ lives serves as a central theme that illustrates the complexities of social, racial, and class divisions in early 20th century Boston. One family is of African American heritage, led by Luther Laurence, a man who flees to Boston to escape trouble in Tulsa. Luther finds himself working for the Coughlin family, an Irish-American household, where he becomes involved in a turbulent period marked by civil unrest and the 1919 Boston Police Strike…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 6
Racial strife and social class disparities
The book paints a vivid picture of the post-First World War era in Boston, a time when racial strife was rampant and social class disparities were starkly apparent. The narrative delves into the lives of its two main characters, an Irish-American police officer, and an African-American man, to explore the deep-rooted racial tensions and class struggles. Through their intertwined stories, the book depicts the discrimination and violence faced by African-Americans and the simmering resentments against the social elite by the working class…Read&Listen More
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A policeman’s moral dilemmas
In ‘The Given Day’, a policeman grapples with the ethical quandaries posed by his duty and his conscience. He operates in a tumultuous period when the social and political environment is fraught with tension. The policeman’s role requires him to enforce the law, but the laws themselves, as well as their enforcement, are often prejudiced and unjust, which leads to deep internal conflict. He is torn between the need to maintain order and his understanding of what is fundamentally right and wrong…Read&Listen More
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Historical events influencing personal lives
In ‘The Given Day’, historical events are intricately woven into the personal lives of the characters, illustrating how large-scale political and social changes can deeply affect individual experiences. One of the novel’s protagonists is an African American man, Luther Laurence, who navigates the racial tensions of early 20th-century America. His life is directly impacted by the Red Summer of 1919, a period of severe racial conflicts. Luther’s personal journey through these times brings a human perspective to these historical events, highlighting their lasting impact on the everyday lives of people of color…Read&Listen More
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Search for justice and equality
In ‘The Given Day’, the search for justice and equality is a central theme that plays out against the backdrop of post-World War I Boston, a time rife with social and political unrest. The novel follows several characters from different walks of life as they navigate a landscape marred by class conflict, racial tension, and widespread corruption. The characters’ personal quests for justice and equality often mirror the broader social movements of the period, including the labor strikes and the fight against systemic racism…Read&Listen More