The Turmoil

The Turmoil by Booth Tarkington

"The Turmoil" by Booth Tarkington follows the lives of the wealthy and socially prominent McGowan family in the early 20th century. The story centers on the conflicts between traditional values and the changing social landscape of America. Key characters include the ambitious and self-centered son, who seeks to break free from his family's expectations, and the daughter, who grapples with her own desires and societal pressures. As the family navigates personal and financial crises, themes of ambition, love, and the struggle for identity emerge, ultimately reflecting the broader societal shifts of the time.

By Booth Tarkington · First published 1915 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Social Commentary · 33 chapters · 115,391 words

First lines

There is a midland city in the heart of fair, open country, a dirty and wonderful city nesting dingily in the fog of its own smoke. The stranger must feel the dirt before he feels the wonder, for the dirt will be upon him instantly. It will be upon him and within him, since he must breathe it, and he may care for no further proof that wealth is here better loved than cleanliness; but whether he cares or not, the negligently tended streets incessantly press home the point, and so do the flecked and grimy citizens. At a breeze he must smother in the whirlpools of dust, and if he should decline at any time to inhale the smoke he has the meager alternative of suicide.

What this Textopian page supports

The Turmoil is listed on Textopian as a novel by Booth Tarkington, dated 1915 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Good citation fit

Similar titles

Genres

Tags

Coming-of-age · Social commentary · American literature · Novel · Realism · Family dynamics · Class struggle · Identity crisis · Youth culture · Small-town life · Rural America · Social hierarchy

Contents

More by Booth Tarkington