Book Review: "Jack" by Marilynne Robinson

I think we have all heard enough about the segregational culture of America in the 1950s and though I love 1950s music and film culture, I can definitely say that I was not 'born in the wrong generation' due to the fact that I am brown and happy that I am in a time where that is respected as a positive aspect of my character. However, I understand that the kind of music I listen to and the films I watch from the 1950s had a culture where that was not so and thus, when I read a book from this time or set during this time, I keep that in mind no matter what it is about. There are many books set in this period such as the famous “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee all the way through to the African-American Southern Gothic books of Toni Morrison. But I think that possibly one of the best modern examples in our own day of this is the books of Marilynne Robinson, especially this one entitled “Jack” which explores the more subverted aspect of interracial romance at a time where this only just was not accepted but was condemned outwardly by others.

Jack is a down and out white man who seems to be treated terribly even by other white men of his own social circles. He leaves his home to travel to St. Louis, Missouri doing what every American in America wants to do - chase the American Dream. He meets Della - who is an African American woman who teaches at a high school, she is therefore a bit above his own social standing in terms of occupation as he still lives on the margins of society. The turbulent romance which ensues is both a strange mixture of post-war politics and the ideas surrounding how race is perceived in America now that socialism and acceptance are getting the little shoves they need towards the Civil Rights Era of the early 60s. Jack (sometimes referred to as ‘John’) is only just out of his time in prison when he leaves Iowa and so, his navigation of the world towards Della is based on ideals he would have known when he first went in. But Della is a different class of human being. Often intelligent and witty, she is critical of Jack and so - there is some amount of friction in the relationship as well. Though, it seems like everything is always on the edge, there are moments of brief calm as society begins to awaken to new days after the world’s most horrifying war period.

The language of the novel is perfect. It feels authentically of its time and place. It feels amazing as it moves through these communications that Jack and Della have in terms of showing not only their emotions for each other, but their abilities to be different to each other as well. Della is obviously more quick-witted and is often frustrated by her lack of social climbing due to injustices based on her colour.

The one thing I noticed about this book though is that it not only represents a dangerous romantic situation, it also represents the prison culture in which a released inmate has little support and therefore, must leave out of the requirement of being thought of as still a criminal. The many injustices faced by both main characters is something that is not only focused on but also criticised by their various situations of class, gender, race and occupation. Their histories are put under the microscope, everything that is found to be wrong and out of the own control is made larger than anything that could possibly be within the depths of their personality.