Boy in the Summer Sun by Mark Schorer
"Boy in the Summer Sun" by Mark Schorer explores themes of love, jealousy, and personal growth against a backdrop of youthful disillusionment. The story follows Will, a college dropout who has settled into a job in an accounting office. His visit to his longtime girlfriend, Rachel, reveals the complexities of their relationship, especially as she develops an attraction to her English professor, Max Garey. The narrative unfolds during a poignant moment by a farm lake, where the dynamics between the three characters shift dramatically as Max recites poetry to Rachel. Will's feelings of anger and insecurity lead to a pivotal confrontation, resulting in the couple's breakup. This story captures the bittersweet nature of young love and the inevitable changes that come with growing up, reflecting on the emotional turbulence of navigating relationships and aspirations. The setting and interactions provide a vivid backdrop, allowing readers to engage with the characters' struggles and transformations.
Boy in the Summer Sun by Mark Schorer
First published: 1937
Type of plot: Psychological
Time of work: The 1930's
Locale: A farm in the rural United States
Principal Characters:
Will , the boy of the title, a college dropout and loverRachel Harley , a college student and the object of Will's attentionMax Garey , a college professor and the second suitor of RachelMrs. Harley , Rachel's mother
The Story
After dropping out of college during his third year, Will has taken a job in an accounting office in the city. He visits longtime sweetheart Rachel, who is still a student. Rachel is now vaguely enamored with Professor Max Garey, one of her English teachers, who happens to visit her at the farm while Will is there. The three lie in the sun near a farm lake. When Max reads poetry to Rachel, Will grows angry and takes a walk. The couple break up as an immediate consequence.