59 pages • 1 hour read
Allison LarkinThe People We Keep
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Genre Context: Bildungsroman (and Künstlerroman)
The People We Keep follows the style and structure of the coming-of-age genre known as the bildungsroman. The term “bildungsroman” originates from the German words bildung and roman, meaning “education” and “novel,” respectively. Bildungsromans depict a character’s growth to morally become an adult, with the protagonist learning many lessons on the journey. In The People We Keep, April undergoes a literal journey with occasional stops in one place. These stops function as episodes in her journey, and each results in April learning a lesson. Following the structure of a bildungsroman, the novel ends with April’s experiences culminating in a final lesson that changes her life and fully transforms her into an adult.
Another important aspect of the bildungsroman is the return home or reconciliation at the end of the journey. The protagonist will often begin the journey to find the answer to life-altering questions, possibly hurting others in the process. However, at the end of the journey, the protagonist may return home or reunite with familiar people. During this return, lessons are shared and a reconciliation for any pain caused is forgiven.
A variation of the bildungsroman relevant to The People We Keep is the Künstlerroman. The word künstler translates from German as “artist,” and the genre details the protagonist’s artistic life and growth. Unlike a traditional bildungsroman, it may encompass an artist’s entire life rather than merely the transition from adolescence to adulthood. In The People We Keep, the protagonist’s moral and artistic development coincide. April’s time on the road hones her understanding of her folk and singer-songwriter origins, and the development of her craft is evident in her performances. In addition to this, April’s original lyrics frequently reflect April’s emotions, her art illustrating but also facilitating her character growth. She uses music to process her emotions and trauma, making her better able to learn lessons and morally grow into an adult.
While the künstlerroman is closely related to the bildungsroman, a primary difference is their conclusion. In bildungsromans, protagonists often opt for a return to normalcy, while in künstlerromans, artists tend to reject living a traditional life. The People We Keep concludes as April steps from adolescence to adulthood, but there are suggestions that she will attempt to strike a middle ground, desiring the stability of a family while refusing to relinquish the freedom of the musician’s road.
Genre Context: The Singer-Songwriter and Folk Genres
Music plays a substantial role in April’s life. From her guitar being her most treasured object to her performances being one of the only ways she earns money, there is no April without music. However, her chosen genre is also important to understanding her background and character. The fact that she is a singer-songwriter indicates her approach to life as well as her approach to her lyrics. Her proclivity for folk music further develops her character and shapes the theme of Expression Through Music.
The singer-songwriter genre consists of artists who write and perform both their music and lyrics. Singer-songwriters control every aspect of their art, so the product is often a reflection on the self, and self-sufficiency is important. April is an incredibly driven yet often lonely individual who composes her own music and writes her own lyrics. She does sing covers during performances, but all original compositions are hers alone. Her original lyrics frequently feature and offer glimpses into her emotional state. April’s identity as a singer-songwriter thus allows Allison Larkin to use her music as a characterization tool, giving readers additional insight into April’s experiences and personality. April’s recounting of her own story in the singer-songwriter tradition also jibes with the coming-of-age genre, which often features the protagonist taking control of their life and narrative.
April primarily composes folk music, which is closely related to the singer-songwriter genre. Contemporary folk music is guided by storytelling and is most often played on acoustic instruments. April has been influenced by folk music her entire life, beginning with her father “say[ing] that good folk music is etched with the rhythm of the road” (332). April takes her travels into account when writing songs and often begins composing them while she drives. The novel also references notable folk artists and singer-songwriters such as Bob Dylan.
