"them" by Joyce Carol Oates

Published in 1969, Joyce Carol Oates’ novel *them* explores the complexities of urban life and familial relationships through a multi-generational narrative, earning a National Book Award in 1970. The story centers on the Wendall family and delves into themes of violence and societal alienation, offering a stark portrayal of American life. While not explicitly set in a single, named city, the novel’s depiction of urban struggles resonates with the realities of post-industrial cities like Detroit, making its exploration of these themes relevant to the city’s historical and cultural context.

History

• them* emerged during a period of significant social and political upheaval in the United States. The late 1960s were marked by civil rights movements, anti-war protests, and a growing sense of disillusionment with traditional American values. Oates’ novel reflects this atmosphere of unrest, presenting a fragmented and often disturbing vision of American society. The novel's publication coincided with a period of economic decline in many American cities, including Detroit, which was grappling with deindustrialization, racial tensions, and urban decay.

The novel’s innovative narrative structure, incorporating multiple perspectives and a shifting timeline, was notable for its time. Oates experimented with form, allowing different characters to narrate sections of the story, offering a multifaceted view of the Wendall family’s experiences. This technique, alongside the novel’s unflinching portrayal of violence, contributed to its critical acclaim and its recognition with the National Book Award. The author’s note included with the book further adds to the meta-narrative, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.

Culture

• them* offers a complex and often bleak portrayal of American family life, exploring themes of poverty, violence, and social alienation. The novel’s characters struggle with issues of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in a seemingly chaotic world. Loretta Wendall, the central figure of the novel, embodies the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society, navigating multiple relationships and raising children in difficult circumstances.

The novel’s exploration of urban life is particularly striking. Oates depicts a world of crowded streets, dilapidated housing, and social unrest, reflecting the realities of many American cities during the 1960s. The sense of anonymity and isolation experienced by the characters underscores the challenges of living in a large, impersonal urban environment. The narrative’s focus on the experiences of marginalized individuals – those living in poverty, struggling with mental illness, or facing discrimination – highlights the social inequalities that pervade American society. The novel’s willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about American life contributed to its controversial reception, but also cemented its place as a significant work of American literature.

Neighborhoods

While *them* does not explicitly name a specific city as its setting, the novel’s depiction of urban environments evokes the atmosphere of cities undergoing significant social and economic change, such as Detroit. The descriptions of crowded neighborhoods, decaying infrastructure, and the struggles of working-class families resonate with the experiences of residents in many post-industrial cities. The sense of fragmentation and alienation experienced by the characters could be interpreted as a reflection of the social and spatial divisions that characterized many American cities during the 1960s.

The novel’s exploration of family dynamics and intergenerational trauma also speaks to the challenges faced by communities grappling with social and economic decline. The Wendall family’s history is marked by violence, poverty, and instability, reflecting the cyclical nature of disadvantage that often affects marginalized communities. The characters’ struggles to overcome these challenges underscore the resilience and determination of individuals living in difficult circumstances. The novel’s portrayal of urban life is not simply a depiction of despair, but also a testament to the enduring human spirit.

Notable Residents

The novel focuses on the lives of Loretta Wendall and her family, spanning multiple generations. Loretta is the central figure, navigating complex relationships and raising children amidst challenging circumstances. Her sons, Jules and Maureen, also play significant roles in the narrative, each grappling with their own personal demons and contributing to the family’s complex history. The novel also features a diverse cast of supporting characters, representing a cross-section of American society.

The narrative structure of *them* introduces an unnamed character who acts as an observer and occasional narrator, further complicating the story’s perspective. This character’s presence adds a layer of ambiguity and invites readers to question the reliability of the narrative. The novel’s focus on the internal lives of its characters, rather than external events, creates a sense of intimacy and allows readers to connect with their struggles on a personal level. The characters’ motivations and actions are often ambiguous, reflecting the complexities of human behavior and the challenges of making sense of a chaotic world.

See Also

• Detroit history – The novel’s themes of urban decay and social unrest resonate with Detroit’s historical experiences.
• African American history in Detroit – The novel’s exploration of social inequality and marginalization is relevant to the experiences of African Americans in Detroit.
• Post-industrial America – *them* provides a fictionalized portrayal of the challenges faced by cities undergoing economic decline.