Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone (Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: James Baldwin
- First Published: 1968
- Type of Plot: Domestic realism, coming of age
- Time of Work: The 1930's
- Setting: Harlem, New York City
- Principal Characters: Leo, Caleb, Mr. Proudhammer, Mrs. Proudhammer
- Genres: Short fiction
- Subjects: African Americans, Discrimination, Family or family life, New York, North America or North Americans, United States or Americans, Police, Twentieth century, New York City, 1930’s, Brothers, Immigration or emigration, Fear, Trains, Boys
- Locales: Harlem, NY
The Story
“Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone” tells the story of a ten-year-old African American who struggles to make his way in a racist world and encounters various obstacles interfering with his growth and development. His family, the Proudhammers, provide a strong barrier against those obstacles. Leo describes how he and his brother Caleb are the best of friends and how they protect each other. His father, an immigrant from Barbados who has been crushed by life, still retains a strong sense of racial pride and an absolute commitment to his family. He believes that...
[The entire page is 1381 words long]
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