Reading National Avenue | Alexandria
Read National Avenue by Booth Tarkington. Exploring small-town America's hidden brutality, "National Avenue" shatters illusions of genteel Midwestern life through a wealthy family's social downfall. Tarkington reveals how materialism and social hierarchies destroy human connections - yet ironically shows that losing status can lead to authentic relationships and moral redemption. His keen insight: true community emerges only after pride crumbles.