The Class (Erich Segal novel)
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The Class is Erich Segal's 6th novel, his best-loved work [citation needed], that came up in the year 1985. “The Class” is the Harvard class of 1954 and in particular, refers to five members of this class namely Andrew Eliot, Jason Gilbert, Theodore Lambros, Daniel Rossi and George Keller.
[edit] Plot summary
Andrew Eliot, as his name suggests, comes from the royal family of the Eliots. But due to this background of his, he always feels the pressure of high expectations and as a result, always, suffers from a lack of confidence. But otherwise, he’s a cool and friendly guy and the best chum of all his classmates.
Jason Gilbert Jr., son of Jason Gilbert Sr. has the makings of a perfect guy of whom any parent would be proud of but there’s one thing that troubles him all through. He is in constant conflict with his identity, his origin, which he clears up once and for all by circumstance, the loss of a loved one which he never recovers from and at the end, dies a death that everybody honours. Though, a Jew by birth, he’s brought up to call himself an American by his prejudiced father, who later realizes the importance of one’s identity from his son.
Theodore Lambros, born in a middle-class family, isn’t able to belong totally to his class due to a schedule that keeps him busy, studying by the day and working by the night. All the same, he puts up with it and achieves his one ambition in life but has no one to share it with due to one act of breach in loyalty in a long held relationship.
Daniel Rossi, a talented pianist, though, initially, suffers his father’s disapproval, wins over him by his success and fame. But unfortunately, fate puts a stop to everything that he ever endured and forces him to retire at an early stage. Also, his workaholic nature contributes to this ill consequence.
George Keller enters America as a refugee and as luck would have had it, attains a position in the Harvard Class of 1954. From then, there’s no looking back for him. His solid determination and an utter lack of emotions for anything, which is a consequence of the circumstances he’d been through, get him a position among the very top in the White House. But this lack of an emotional side takes its toll and inspite of his achievements, there’s no happiness in his life and he ends up committing suicide.
