Summer of '69

Drawing from popular songs of the 1960s, the chapter titles in Summer of ‘69 help convey the era, themes, and character portrayals of the story. Antiwar protest songs like “Fortunate Son” (1969) and “For What It’s Worth” (1966) tie to Tiger’s deployment and Kirby’s activism respectively. Other counterculture references include “Born to Be Wild” and “Magic Carpet Ride,” both released in May 1968. These songs detail the importance of freedom from societal restriction, which several of the characters, especially Kirby, long for. Love songs like “Fly Me to the Moon,” popularized by Peggy Lee in 1960, and “Sunshine of Your Love” released by Cream in 1967, help enhance the love affairs of Blair/Angus and Jessie/Pick. “White Rabbit” (1967), “Nineteenth Nervous Breakdown” (1966), and “Mother’s Little Helper” (1966) symbolize addiction and its power, particularly because these songs title chapters in which Kate’s drinking interferes with her relationships. “Both Sides Now,” the last song on Joni Mitchell’s Clouds (1969), and Procol Harum’s “Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967) become chapter titles when characters confront the ups and downs of love and face reality over idealism. In this way, the chapter titles help securely place the action in the 1960s and also reflect the emotional events in the chapters.