Tales Of The City – Book Report Essay, Research Paper
Christoph Jeff Micklon s
Book Report
FOR
ENG 744.3
Gay Literature
Dr. John Bowers
Spring 1996
Tales of the City
Armistead Maupin
When you sense the affection where people enfold their loving kindness you are probably amidst the tenants of 28 Barbary Lane, San Francisco 94109. Perhaps tenants is the wrong word, it should be something more like a friendly community of people. In Tales of the City , by Armistead Maupin, the characters are intertwined with togetherness. The mother of all mothers, the landlady , guardian of all who live under her roof, orchestrates an unfolding story that is captivating and compelling. It Is her love that permeates the other characters within this story.
This sequence of story snippets was originally introduced to San Francisco Chronicle readers back in 1976. It is because of this that each sub-story, or chapter in the book, is a self sustaining story in itself, more so than most chapter arranged narratives. This book is the first volume in a series, that chronicles the life of a small number of San Francisco residents. With each new chapter there is a personal development for the characters within. It is this sense of development that is most important for the continuity of Tales of the City. The development neatly meshes the character s lives with one another, till ultimately the product is a mass evolution.
It is interesting to note that the writing style Mr. Maupin uses to guide the story forward is consistent throughout the book. Chapters inevitably commence with a character s response to the given situation. There are several departures from this style, which are explained further on in this book report.
The chapters are suited for the readers of a newspaper. Each is short, usually between two and four pages in length. This makes the reading simple to digest. Each chapter equates to an individual episodes of a television soap opera. Chapters link their engaging scenarios together to form a habit forming series. The first thirty-one chapters amply show the author s intended direction & purpose for the entire novel.
“Taking the Plunge” ch.1 p.1-3: This is the introduction of the unfolding Mary Ann Singleton & the expeditious Connie Bradshaw. Vacationing in San Francisco for eight days Mary Ann discovers that she wishes to escape her home and stay in San Francisco. She attempts to convince her mother she is doing the right thing. Haplessly she is not even sure herself about this. Confronting her housing situation head-on Mary Ann asks her friend, Connie, if she can shack up with her till she finds her own pad.
“Connie s Place” ch.2 p.4-7: Mary Ann moves into Connie s apartment. She believes her new life will begin soon. The two new roommates reminisce about their childhood together, not looking forward but looking back. Mary Ann discovers a myriad cologne collection in Connie s bathroom cabinet. Connie is still popular with the men, a quality she is striving for in her new life.
“A Frisco Disco” ch.3 p.8-11: Mary Ann & Connie go out clubbing together for different reasons. Marry Ann pretends to disrobe her innocence, but her attempts do not work. Due to her inability to put aside her starched values she turns down a sexual advance from a man. With the night s failure, and without Connie, she goes home early.
“Her New Home” ch.4 p.12-15: This is the introduction of the caring & passionate Anna Madrigal. Mary Ann had enough exposure of Connie s Trix. Out of the three places the rental agency sent her, Mary Ann discovers that 28 Barbary Lane is where her new funky home will be. Once back at Connie s apartment, Connie suggests they meet at the Safeway for another man hunt.
“Love with the Proper Shopper” ch.5 p.16-19: This is one of the only chapters where scenery is in place before the introduction of characters. The grocery is more paramount to the characters than the other way around. This is because by its very nature Safeway is a place where people are compelled to congregate. Mary Ann begrudgingly gets a lesson on how to pick up men from Connie. Once alone Mary Ann is besieged by a man inquiring specifics on Chinese cooking. She is repulsed by the overt scenario and quickly dumps him into the frozen food section. To her frustration the second round of interaction is with a beautiful man who is not there to pick up girls, he was just being friendly. He had no intentions of picking her up, namely because he was gay. Mary Ann s emotions dip to her foundation, when she realizes that again she is unsuccessful at forging her new life.
“Connie s Bummer Night” ch.6 p.20-23: Connie arrives back from Safeway, as she puts it, “with no weirdoes.” Mary Ann turns down Connie s invitation to go out yet again to find tonight s Trix. The night passes and Connie still does not have a man, one that substitutes for a meaning relationship, to prevail by her side. The next day Mary Ann takes her lonely suitcase and what possibly is forever, leaves behind Connie for 28 Barbary Lane. She has experienced one side of San Francisco that does not appeal to her. Moving on to the next situation, she continues on her path for a new life, leaving Connie on her own.
“The Employment Line” ch.7 p.24-27: During her first day in her very own apartment Mary Ann seeks to fulfill her horoscope by availing herself to the Metropolitan Employment Agency. Her posting was deceptively innocent. A red-faced Mr. Creech decided that he wanted a girl Friday for more than just office work. Mary Ann fell back on her hometown morals and declared she was indeed uptight about that type of work. Not being able to withstand the rejection, she cried herself to sleep. After she woke up she wrote a deceptively optimistic letter to her parents. Anna intuitively knew of Mary Ann s troubles that day. She consoled Mary Ann with a neatly rolled joint and a letter of support welcoming her. Mary Ann truly needed a friend in her new life.
“Enter Mona” ch.8 p.28-31: This is the introduction of the oddly free Mona Ramsey & the steadfast Edgar Halcyon. While taking out the garbage, Mary Ann meets head on with Mona, another tenant. Mona uncovers her quaint Franciscan nature by revealing the secrets held in Mary Ann s garbage. Mona trying to be friendly, invites her up for tea and a chat. With Mona s connection at work, Mary Ann successfully interviews with Edgar Halcyon of Halcyon Communications.
“The Ad Game” ch.9 p.32-34: This is the introduction of the flippant & troubled Beauchamp Day. Some time has passed and Mary Ann has settled into her new job as the personal secretary for Edgar Halcyon. Beauchamp is described in great unnerving detail. He is irreverent, married and flirting with Mary Ann. He asks her to lunch that afternoon. Exposed to another moral dilemma, Mary Ann, begins to think that her ideas of morality need to be modified to let her experience her new life.
“Edgar Blows Up” ch.10 p.35-38: Concerned for his daughter s marriage, Edgar confronts Beauchamp on his whereabouts the night before. The chapter turns to Mary Ann & Mona having a friendly lunch together. Later on Mona asks Anna if Mary Ann knows about Anna s secret. A mystery that is frugally explained in chapter 105, is left unanswered in this chapter. This helps develop Anna s secretive identity.
“Anguish in Bohemia” ch.11 p.39-42: This is the introduction of the blue-blooded Frannie Halcyon. Edgar calls Frannie on the phone to make up an excuse for not coming home that evening. Suspecting deception, Frannie becomes combative. After getting off the phone with Frannie, Edgar admits to himself that Ruby Miller might as well have been his mistress. The chapter diverts to a conversation at Beauchamp s social club. Drugs were used by a club member. Both of these situations shatter high societies ambiance. The lives of the rich are not perfect.
“The Wrath of DeDe” ch.12 p.43-45: Beauchamp realizes that DeDe was waiting for him to take her to a social ladder climbing party. He begrudgingly rushes home to chauffeur her to this social incarceration. Once home the two quarrel about DeDe calling up her father the previous night. The quarrel ends when DeDe pronounces that Beauchamp is obligated to her father. The undertone here is that Beauchamp does not relish the idea that he is not of the same social class of his wife. He resents when he feels inferior, and frustrated when he has to live up to the social class. With this small triumph, DeDe can declare that she knew about the lunch date with Mary Ann Singleton. Behind those words she suspects infidelity. This turbulent conflict forces Beauchamp to immaturely retaliate in chapter twenty-two.
“The Landlady s Dinner” ch.13 p.46-50: Mary Ann s innocence surfaces again when she does not realize that Mona s offer of coke was not a cola. Mona further exposes her debauched nature when she produces food stamps when it is obvious that she is making enough money not to need them. But Mary Ann does not realize that Mona did need them at one time and simply kept them. During Anna s dinner party Mary Ann is offered more joints and boorish company. Bored with Anna s plastic guests, Mary Ann wanders into the bathroom and noticed a part of Anna s past. Anna comes in to reveal that her name is assumed and that she was never married. The conversation leads to men. Anna assures Mary Ann that she will find a man in San Francisco that is not gay.
“Rendezvous with Ruby” ch.14 p.51-53: This is the introduction of the devoted Ruby Miller. This is another chapter that begins with setting the scene before interacting with the characters. In this case it is necessary to do this because the scene is showing the environment that Ruby lives in, than the person herself. She is made out to be a born, bred, lower-middle class Christian solider. The chapter name and the actions seem very much like a mid-evening rendezvous for a quickie. The chapter s intention is to dumfound the reader. Ruby starts pressing her fingertips against Edgar s temples. The action appears to prelude a sexual act. Then the next sentence blunts the senesces by making it known that Ruby is spiritually healing Edgar. Blam! The chapter ends without warning.
“The Boy Next Door” ch.15 p.54-56: This is the introduction of the meandering & oversexed Brian Hawkins. Mary Ann reads her mail. There is an impression that she is very lonely in her new world. Anna intervenes by sending up Brian Hawkins. He had no idea of the reason why Anna would ask him to go up and see Mary Ann, but the light dawned for her. She explained that she had just told Anna that there were not enough straight men in San Francisco. He invited her up to his apartment, which was short and agreeable.
“The Matriarch” ch.16 p.57-59: Edgar returns home after his meeting , and makes up an intricate lie about it. It is evident that Frannie is drunk and discouraged. Not realizing it Edgar is guilty of the same transgression that he reprimanded his son-in-law for in chapter ten. Edgar changes the subject from being late, which leads to a discussion about a party that Frannie wishes to put on. It is evident that he is tired of living the strict social life of the upper class. Both Edgar & Beauchamp wish for the same thing, release, but they attain their wishes in different ways.
“Stranger in the Park” ch.17 p.60-64: Edgar is in turmoil over his life threatening medical problem. There was a hint of the problem in chapter fourteen, but the problem was never so imposing. Edgar s doctor pleads with him to face his life, fling it off and take advantage of his last few months. As he leaves for lunch he is in great turmoil. He absurdly fantasizes about Frannie s party and that he could add to his wife s social ladder by foretelling his death at the party. He put this notion out of his mind as he entered Washington square and encountered Anna.
“Relating at Lunch” ch.18 p.63-66: Beauchamp and Mary Ann have lunch at an urban-organic-aloof restaurant. This only amplifies Mary Ann s uneasiness of being with Beauchamp. He is able to still her butterflies by tearing away the pretenses she has built around his presumed blue-blood. He purposely strikes back DeDe, fulfilling her fears by asking Mary Ann to vacation with him that weekend. She resists but not with much effort on account of her struggle to fit into her new life.
“A Piece of Anna s Past” ch.19 p.67-69: This is the first chapter that directly follows the personal timeline of a character. This is because it s importance to Edgar s life discovery could not be completed in one single chapter. Meeting Anna made the park warmer and the bird s songs more joyous. The two start out with small talk but it inadvertently, at least according to Edgar, turns into a serious discussion about both of their pasts. Anna remarks that Edgar is not too happy with himself and she tries to bring back memories when he enjoyed his life. She plays with his mind by implying that she runs a house of pleasure. But her words are misleading, she actually runs a boarding house. Finally Anna finishes playing with her prey by saying, “Tomorrow is his turn to buy lunch.”
“Mona s New Roomie” ch.20 p.70-73: This is the introduction of the self-styled Michael Tolliver (Mouse). From nowhere Michael calls Mona declaring that another relationship is down the tubes. In Michael s mind this is a typical stereotype for himself as a gay man. Relationships are supposed to be short term, never everlasting, & far & few between. His only comfort is that this particular relationship was able to get to the furniture buying stage. The relationship is in control, neither of the two men. Concerned for Michael s well being, Mona practically demands that Michael come live with her. A selection of possessions are inventoried coming into Mona s apartment: a T-shirt that reads “Dance 10, Looks 3″, Army surplus clothing, a photo of La Belle, & a roach clip. These possessions elucidate Michael in a stereotypical light. The author uses possessions to make character inner workings evident.
“Their First Date” ch.21 p.74-76: It is obvious that Edgar is falling for Anna in this chapter. He does not care if anyone sees them alone together. They joke with one another and Edgar reveals his inadequacy of contend with his social class. Anna remarks about how wonderful it is to fly a kite while being stoned. Obviously shocked Edgar asks “Marijuana?” He felt older than ever having to refuse the offered joint. Anna turned the cheerless situation into a gleeful one by trading the joint for the usage of a kite.
“Off to Mendocino” ch.22 p.77-79: This is the first instance where Mary Ann overtly disregards her hometown morals. She sleeps with Beauchamp, a married man, her boss son-in-law, and a very big step. It is unfortunate that Beauchamp is only using her to get back at his wife for all her meddling & over-inquisitive nature.
“Brian Climbs the Walls” ch.23 p.80-83: It is ironic while Mary Ann seeks sex with Beauchamp, Brian is bored out of his skull and wants Mary Ann s company. Brian really desires her, Beauchamp does not share this. Brian relieves himself by going out for the night. He ends up in a bar with Chip Hardesty, who is a rival of sorts. The rivalry comes from the fact that Chip is a babe magnet; note Chip s last name. All used up, Chip leaves the bar to Brian. Alas Brian has no choice but to accept the women leftovers.
“Post-Mortem” ch.24 p.84-86: Beauchamp s little solder, was unable to salute Mary Ann. He was worried, perhaps even concerned, for what he had done to DeDe. Mary Ann wants to share feeling while Beauchamp is cold. All of the sudden Beauchamp reveals that he is in love with Mary Ann. More than likely he wishes to escape his social rank with Mary Ann, the representation of his freedom. But Beauchamp divulges his true nature in his sleep. Mary Ann is no longer infatuated with this escape to her future. Both, Beauchamp s & May Ann s escapes have failed miserably.
“Coming Clean in the Marina” ch.25 p.87-89: Brian gave up on picking up a mistress for the evening, at the bars at least. He takes his male chauvinism to the Laundromat. He sights his quarry, a saucy girl waiting for the same thing he is there for. The two exchange smart-aleck remarks with each other. In sort, checking each other s resistance to hurt. With persistence he melts her resistance, Connie s resistance. Ironic that yet another intertwining of characters has developed.
” and Many Happy Returns” ch.26 p.90-93: Brian wakes to find himself trying to cope with Connie s emotions. She is pissed and Brian has no clue. She wants tenderness and only gets, wham bam thank you ma am. She emotionally breaks and communicates the reason for her acting like a bitch, it is her birthday. She is depressed that she has no one to share her loneliness with except complete a stranger, picked up in Laundromat. Placing aside his sarcastic comments, Brian s tender nature surfaces. He quickly runs into her kitchen and reappears with a makeshift birthday cake and says, “no wisecracks.” The charade of the wise-cracking in the last chapter is dropped for gentleness in this chapter. Both characters grow to understand that their life simulation only disservice them.
“Mrs. Day at Home” ch.27 p.93-95: DeDe s life is crumbling around her. She bathes away the frustration, but this escape fails to secure her doubts about herself. She grasps for the first support, an old fling. Walt unfortunately casts her back to reality. He now has a happy and well adjusted marriage, no need for another woman s yearnings.