The 42nd Parallel Trilogy: A Journey Through American History

The 42nd Parallel Trilogy is a sweeping historical saga that follows the lives of several interconnected characters as they navigate the tumultuous events of American history from the Civil War to the Great Depression.

The trilogy, written by American author John Dos Passos, consists of three novels: The 42nd Parallel (1930),1919 (1932),and The Big Money (1936). Each novel focuses on a different group of characters and explores a different era of American history.

The 42nd Parallel (U.S.A. Trilogy Book 1)

by Stacy-Deanne

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1247 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	350 pages
Paperback	:	111 pages
Item Weight	:	9.9 ounces
Dimensions	:	7 x 0.27 x 10 inches

FREE

The first novel, The 42nd Parallel, follows the lives of four young people who come to New York City in the years leading up to the Civil War. The novel captures the excitement and promise of the city, as well as the social and economic tensions that are tearing the country apart.

The second novel, 1919, focuses on the experiences of young Americans during World War I and the aftermath of the war. The novel explores the disillusionment and cynicism that many Americans felt after the war, as well as the rise of fascism and communism.

The third novel, The Big Money, follows the lives of several characters during the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression. The novel explores the excesses and corruption of the Jazz Age, as well as the devastating impact of the Depression on American society.

The 42nd Parallel Trilogy is a powerful and moving portrait of American history. The trilogy captures the hopes and dreams of Americans, as well as the challenges and setbacks that they have faced. The trilogy is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand American history and the American experience.

Characters

The 42nd Parallel Trilogy features a large cast of characters, each of whom represents a different aspect of American society. Some of the most notable characters include:

• Mac McCreary: A young engineer who comes to New York City in search of adventure. He becomes involved in the labor movement and the fight for social justice.
• Eleanor Stoddard: A young woman from a wealthy family who becomes a social worker. She witnesses firsthand the poverty and suffering that exists in American society.
• Richard Savage: A young artist who becomes disillusioned with the American dream. He travels to Europe and becomes involved in the anti-war movement.
• J. Ward Moorehouse: A young businessman who becomes a wealthy and successful capitalist. He represents the excesses and corruption of the Jazz Age.
• Charley Anderson: A young African American man who experiences the racism and discrimination that is prevalent in American society. He becomes a labor organizer and fights for the rights of his people.

Themes

The 42nd Parallel Trilogy explores a wide range of themes, including:

• The American Dream: The trilogy explores the American Dream and the ways in which it has been both realized and betrayed.
• Social Justice: The trilogy examines the social and economic injustices that exist in American society and the struggles of those who fight for a more just world.
• War and Peace: The trilogy explores the impact of war on individuals and society, and the search for peace.
• The Rise of Capitalism: The trilogy examines the rise of capitalism in America and the ways in which it has shaped American society.
• The American Character: The trilogy explores the American character and the ways in which it has been shaped by history and experience.

Style

The 42nd Parallel Trilogy is written in a unique and innovative style that reflects the complexity and fragmentation of modern American life. Dos Passos uses a variety of techniques, including:

• Collage: Dos Passos uses collage to juxtapose different texts and images, creating a fragmented and disorienting effect.
• Stream of Consciousness: Dos Passos uses stream of consciousness to explore the inner thoughts and feelings of his characters.
• Montage: Dos Passos uses montage to create a sense of chaos and confusion, reflecting the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of modern life.

Critical Reception

The 42nd Parallel Trilogy was a critical and commercial success. The trilogy won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1938, and it has been praised by critics for its realism, its powerful storytelling, and its innovative style.

The trilogy has been compared to the works of other great American writers, such as William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway. Dos Passos's trilogy is considered one of the most important works of American literature, and it continues to be read and studied by students and scholars today.

The 42nd Parallel Trilogy is a powerful and moving portrait of American history. The trilogy captures the hopes and dreams of Americans, as well as the challenges and setbacks that they have faced. The trilogy is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand American history and the American experience.

The 42nd Parallel (U.S.A. Trilogy Book 1)

by Stacy-Deanne

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1247 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	350 pages
Paperback	:	111 pages
Item Weight	:	9.9 ounces
Dimensions	:	7 x 0.27 x 10 inches

FREE