them (novel)
| Cover to the US reissue paperback | |
| Author | Joyce Carol Oates |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | The Wonderland Quartet |
| Genre | Naturalism |
| Publisher | Vanguard Press (Hardback USA) & Fawcett Books (Paperback USA) |
Publication date | June 1969 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 508 p. (hardback edition) & 480 p. (reissue paperback edition) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0814906680 (hardback edition) & ISBN 0449206920 (reissue paperback edition) Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
| Preceded by | Expensive People |
| Followed by | Wonderland |
Warning: Display title "them (novel)" overrides earlier display title "<i>Them</i> (novel)" (help). them by Joyce Carol Oates is the third novel in The Wonderland Quartet, first published in 1969.
Plot introduction
It explores the complex struggles of American life through three down-on-their-luck characters—Loretta, Maureen and Jules—who are attempting to reach normality and the American dream through marriage and money. Template:Spoiler
The story begins with Loretta Botsford and her brother Brock as teenagers, living in a "fair-sized city on a midwestern canal", in the 1930s. Loretta falls in love with Bernie Malin, and sleeps with him. Later in the night, Brock shoots Bernie in the head, and Bernie dies suddenly. Loretta runs away, to her friend Rita's place. Rita lends her some clothes and she wanders off. She meets Howard Wendall, an older cop to whom she confesses the tragic death of Bernie Malin. They later married, and she bore him Jules (who was hinted as Bernie Malin's son). They lived close to Mama and Papa Wendall's house, on the South side of town. Soon after the birth of Jules, Howard was busted for taking money from prostitutes. The Wendalls moved into the country house of Howard's Uncle Fritz the house keeper, and Connie Wendall, Loretta's sister-in-law. Loretta bore Maureen, and Betty in that country house.
When WWII broke out, Howard left his family to fight in Europe. Meanwhile, Jules grew up to be a fast, energetic child who hung around older children, and was never still. (Maureen got her way by being the quiet, shy, delicate girl, while Betty was always annoying) There were two scenes where Jules, as a child was fascinated by fire; the time when he burnt down a deserted barn and the plane crash in Detriot.
Jules, Maureen and Betty were all sent to a Catholic school in Detroit, after Loretta decided to move there after her friend, Rita. Jules took on the role of the "bad boy" who hung out with kids who stole from stores, and smoked at school. Many concluded that Jules would not live past 20. Soon Jules was expelled from the Catholic school and was sent to a public school away from his sisters.
Literary significance & criticism
The novel has been praised for its commentary on the difficulties faced by the American working class and depiction of lower class tragedy through its descriptions of urban life and the interweaving of colloquial language with prose.
Awards and nominations
them received the National Book Award in 1970.
External links
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