Title:
A Hope in the Unseen
Author:
Ron Suskind
Date Published:
1998
Meaning of Title:
A convoluted version of a quote from the Bible, specifically Hebrews
II:1
Setting:
Washington D.C., M.I.T. in Boston, and Brown University in Providence
Genre:
Non-fiction bildungsroman
Protagonist:
Cedric Jennings
Antagonist:
Various forces that hold him back, summed up as Dreambusters
Mood:
Somber, journalistic
Point of View:
Primarily Cedric Jennings', but parts of the narrative take on the
perspective of people who know Cedric
Tense:
Present
Exposition:
Cedric attends Ballou High, goes to MIT the summer of his junior
year, then goes on to attend Brown University.
Rising Action:
Cedric struggles academically and personally in trying to achieve
his ambitions.
Climax:
Cedric and his mother are almost evicted from their apartment.
Outcome:
Cedric and his mother come to an understanding that he can take care
of her now, just as she cared for him in order that he may achieve his
academic goals.
Major Themes:
The importance of correct choices molding one's identity; the role
of education in such choices; the role of religion in such choices; race;
social class; masculinity.
Minor Themes:
Anger; cultural understanding
Clapsaddle, Diane. "TheBestNotes on A Long Way Gone".
TheBestNotes.com.
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