A Summons to Memphis, the final masterpiece by Taylor, serves as a deep exploration of his central motif, vividly woven throughout his other narratives: the tumult within families as they confront the tides of transformation.

The family's transformation begins with a pivotal relocation from the quaint charm of Nashville to the bustling energy of modern Memphis. This shift in geography alters the course of the sisters' lives dramatically, curtailing their opportunities for advantageous marriages and ultimately leaving them single and discontented. In the wake of this relocation, the resulting tension propels the eldest son toward a fateful decision to enlist, which leads him to the battlefront and, tragically, to his demise.

Meanwhile, the narrator finds himself increasingly estranged from his familial roots. The move stirs within him a desire to seek new horizons, prompting him to leave behind his Southern identity and embrace a cosmopolitan life in New York.