David’s gift of the Tree of Life necklace, and its symbolic meaning of maturity and responsibility, suggests a major theme within Summer of ‘69. Each of the main characters wrestles with moving away from irresponsible behavior to gain maturity. Kate and her daughters all start the novel with genuine problems. Kate worries for her enlisted son and has painful memories of her first marriage. Blair has unwillingly given up a promising career, and her troubled husband seems to be having an affair. Kirby is hiding her wounds from a difficult breakup and miscarriage. Even Jessie, at only 13, is navigating intense feelings of powerlessness. Each woman initially chooses to handle her problem through avoidance. Kate uses alcohol to dull her worry and secrecy to smooth over her past, causing her to delay her life with David. Blair indulges in fantasies of regaining her former life, holding out hope that Joey will come and rescue her, even though she’s carrying Angus’s twins. Kirby thinks that a new location will let her forget her former love affair with Scottie, burying herself in work and trips to the beach. Jessie begins shoplifting to create a false sense of control over her fear and anger.

Maturity and Responsibility

Choosing What Male Behavior to Accept

Sexual Attraction Versus Sustainable Love

Relationships

Brothers & Sisters

Daughters & Sons

Family

Friendship

Fiction

Historical Fiction

Marriage

Book Events

Memorial Day Reads

History: World

Military Reads

Mothers

Genres

Romance

Valentine's Day Reads: The Theme of Love

Elin Hilderbrand

Adult

Novel

Guide

Study Guide

Book Brief

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About Summer of '69

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Overview

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Summer of '69 Summary and Study Guide

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Background

Summer of '69 Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “June 1969”

Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 3

Summer of '69 Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 4-6

Summer of '69 Part 1, Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 7-11

Summer of '69 Part 1, Chapters 7-11 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 12-16

Summer of '69 Part 1, Chapters 12-16 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “July 1969”

Part 2, Chapters 17-20

Summer of '69 Part 2, Chapters 17-20 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 21-24

Summer of '69 Part 2, Chapters 21-24 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 25-28

Summer of '69 Part 2, Chapters 25-28 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 29-32

Summer of '69 Part 2, Chapters 29-32 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “November 1969”

Part 3, Chapters 33-34

Summer of '69 Part 3, Chapters 33-34 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Summer of '69 Character Analysis

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Themes

Summer of '69 Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Summer of '69 Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Summer of '69 Important Quotes with Page Numbers

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Essay Topics

Summer of '69 Essay Topics

Summer of '69

Themes

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