I find this story fascinating for the mythic power it has held over time. That beggars are thieves and the bums are rich serves an essential function in American history to create a social order based on caste. You've humanized Horton Malone; he's more than a poster child for a political agenda and more an illustration of the results of such historic policies. He and Sarah scratched out a life the best they could with what little they had and neither lived in luxury.
In the Margin notes next week, I address the historical context of his story - the rising push to “educate and redeem” folks like Horton, the conflict between wanting to provide aid to the needy and the sense of being taken advantage of, the bigger questions about the value and dignity of work as an American ideal. The timing of this story is just before the conception of FDRs New Deal which is fascinating.
I find this story fascinating for the mythic power it has held over time. That beggars are thieves and the bums are rich serves an essential function in American history to create a social order based on caste. You've humanized Horton Malone; he's more than a poster child for a political agenda and more an illustration of the results of such historic policies. He and Sarah scratched out a life the best they could with what little they had and neither lived in luxury.
In the Margin notes next week, I address the historical context of his story - the rising push to “educate and redeem” folks like Horton, the conflict between wanting to provide aid to the needy and the sense of being taken advantage of, the bigger questions about the value and dignity of work as an American ideal. The timing of this story is just before the conception of FDRs New Deal which is fascinating.
You've shown readers the historical context in these two parts to his story quite well. Always enjoy your writing.
Thanks, it’s always a balancing act to slip those elements into the storytelling 😉 which is why I enjoy writing the margin notes!
What a story! Only in New York!
Thanks, Bill! It’s definitely a story for the time and place. Glad you enjoyed it.