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The Long, Long Afternoon


Synopsis


Summary

Chapter 1: The Arrival

* Summary: The story opens in 1935, in the sleepy town of Weldon, Texas. A group of high school students are enjoying a hot afternoon at a swimming pool when they witness the arrival of a mysterious stranger, a large African American man named Jake Wheat. Jake is immediately met with suspicion and hostility from the white townsfolk.
* Real Example: The grandmother of one of the students, Nell Janeway, recalls how the town was once a peaceful place, but the arrival of Jake has shattered that peace. She says, "Things were so much simpler then. We didn't have to worry about things like this."

Chapter 2: The Tension Mounts

* Summary: Jake's presence in Weldon stirs up fear and anger among the white residents. Rumors spread that he is a vagrant or a criminal. The town sheriff, George Boynton, decides to arrest Jake without cause, hoping to appease the growing unrest.
* Real Example: The town drunk, Dave Harris, is seen drinking heavily and expressing his anger towards Jake. He says, "That n*r don't belong here. He's gonna cause trouble."

Chapter 3: The Trial

* Summary: Jake's trial is a mockery of justice. The all-white jury finds him guilty of vagrancy, despite the lack of evidence. Jake is sentenced to six months in prison.
* Real Example: The local newspaper, the Weldon Chronicle, publishes an article that portrays Jake as a dangerous criminal. This further inflames the townsfolk's fear and hatred.

Chapter 4: The Long Afternoon

* Summary: The day of Jake's scheduled departure from Weldon, a group of white men gather outside the jail, intent on lynching him. However, the students who witnessed Jake's arrival intervene and try to protect him.
* Real Example: David Janeway, one of the students who befriended Jake, pleads with the mob to spare his life. He says, "Jake's a good man. He doesn't deserve to die."

Chapter 5: The Aftermath

* Summary: The mob is eventually dispersed, but the events of the day have left a lasting mark on the town of Weldon. The students who stood up for Jake are ostracized, and the town's reputation is forever stained.
* Real Example: The Weldon Chronicle publishes another article, this time condemning the mob and praising the students who stood up to them. This article helps to slowly heal the town's wounds.