Summary Jeannette and her new husband, John, wait at a train station for Lori and Mom to arrive. Jeannette and John have bought a country farmhouse and John suggested inviting her family for Thanksgiving dinner. Dad has been dead for five years and the family has not been together since. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 5: ThanksgivingSummary and Analysis Part 4: New York City Sections 11-13
Summary While Brian succeeds at achieving his dream of becoming a police officer, Lori finds success as an illustrator, and Jeannette blossoms as a writer, Maureen remains adrift. She moves in with Mom and Dad after high school, unable to care for herself. After a few months, Mom tells her […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: New York City Sections 11-13Summary and Analysis Part 4: New York City Sections 8-10
Summary Mom and Dad set up a home in an abandoned building and become squatters. They invite Jeannette over to see their place. As Mom and Dad gush about their new home and the other squatters they’ve met, Jeannette realizes they’ve finally found a home among people like themselves. Jeannette […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: New York City Sections 8-10Summary and Analysis Part 4: New York City Sections 4-7
Summary Winter arrives, cold and fierce, and Mom and Dad struggle to keep warm at night. They often end up in shelters, churches, or sometimes at Lori’s apartment. Jeannette considers dropping out of college to help them, but Lori and Brian point out that such an idea is useless as […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: New York City Sections 4-7Summary and Analysis Part 4: New York City Sections 2-3
Summary One morning, while getting ready for school, Jeannette listens to a radio report of a dilapidated van breaking down on the highway. Later she learns it is her parents’ van and that Mom and Dad have decided to move to New York City to be near the family. Mom […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: New York City Sections 2-3Summary and Analysis Part 4: New York City Section 1
Summary Jeannette arrives in New York City, mesmerized by its size and scope. After only a day, she gets a job in a hamburger shop and, soon, she and Lori move out of the women’s hostel and into their own apartment in the South Bronx. In the fall, Jeannette begins […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: New York City Section 1Summary and Analysis Part 3: Welch Sections 25-26
Summary In tenth grade, Jeannette becomes editor of the school paper; by junior year she is editor-in-chief and writing most of the paper because she has a hard time recruiting staff members. As editor-in-chief she gains some ground socially as other kids are willing to talk to her if it […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Welch Sections 25-26Summary and Analysis Part 3: Welch Sections 23-24
Summary Two filmmakers from New York City come to Welch for a cultural growth project in Appalachia, and Jeannette and Lori are delighted by these city men’s artistic sensibilities. The filmmakers tell Lori she has talent and suggest she move to New York City if she is serious about being […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Welch Sections 23-24Summary and Analysis Part 3: Welch Sections 20-22
Summary Jeannette often worries about failing little Maureen, so she, Lori, and Brian save up to give her some gifts for her seventh birthday. They share stories with her about California, where she was born though she does not remember it. Maureen’s blonde hair, blue eyes, and charm have made […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Welch Sections 20-22Summary and Analysis Part 3: Welch Sections 18-19
Summary Jeannette starts seventh grade, which means she now attends the area high school, a large school to which many of the small towns in the area bus their students. Jeannette appreciates being in a larger school and being a less visible target for bullies. Her former bully and now […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Welch Sections 18-19