Tales of Two Americas: Stories of Inequality in a Divided Nation

Arthur Barrow is the protagonist in Joy Williams’s short story “Portion.” His life is a metaphor for the shallow and unfulfilling nature of American consumerism. After inheriting the estate of a mysterious figure known only as “the Governor,” Barrow quickly indulges in a variety of luxuries until there is nothing left.

Charles (“Charlie”) Strobel is a Catholic priest in Nashville, Tennessee, where he runs the The Room at the Inn and the Campus for Human Development, both of which he established in 1986 to serve the city’s homeless population. The organization connects people of faith to the homeless through community service. Ann Patchett writes about Strobel as a call to action for how best to serve others.

The Haitian immigrant protagonist of Edwidge Danticat’s story “Dosas,” Elsie lives a life of hard work and disappointment in Miami. Though tied to a community of fellow Haitian immigrants, her dreams for a more prosperous and settled life are dashed when her husband, Blaise, leaves Elsie for her best friend. Blaise and Elsie’s ex-friend, Olivia, later scam Elsie and other friends out of large sums of money when they fake Olivia’s kidnapping and claim Blaise must pay a hefty ransom to free her. Elsie’s story concludes on a tone of disappointment, loneliness, and isolation.

Hanju Lee is the protagonist in Nami Mun’s short story “Apartment 1G.” He is a Korean immigrant to the United States who has struggled to support his wife and daughter. He represents the failed American Dream. After the Russian mob lures Lee and his wife into trafficking young, immigrant women, the two die by suicide, thinking that law enforcement will never believe that the couple did not know what they had gotten into.

Hanna Ikonen is the main character in Roxane Gay’s short story “How.” Hanna comes from a problematic and broken family. She lives in a rust-belt town with her abusive husband and father, sister, niece, and brother-in-law. Hanna spends much of her time working two jobs to support them all. In her free time, she escapes to a nearby university, where she pretends to be a student. She is also secretly in love with a childhood friend named Laura. Eventually, Hanna and Laura, along with Hanna’s twin sister, infant niece, and brother-in-law, leave their hometown behind in search of a better life.