Summary Of Michael Harris

To begin his essay, Michael Harris summarizes the novel’s plot, comparing it to a puzzle the reader must solve. He then examines the ambiguity of the novel, stating that, “Love and hate alike have faded.” Harris then asks the question, “How can people in a small, tightly knit community be neighbors for generations, even love one another, yet be torn apart by racism.” This question however, is not answered in the essay, as the rest of the essay is a quick examination of the setting and characters of the novel. In the last few sentences of the essay, Harris claims that beside a few semi-villains, every other character is “human and often admirable.” The paradox of how good people can live in an evil society is left unsolved.

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