Chapter 5: A Fool in Love Summary and Analysis

By the late fifties, a general rejection of established culture is taking place among the young—the beatniks, the bohemians—a movement trending out of California. Among the young whites, blacks and their music are considered the elite. There is a weak, short-lived attempt to fight against rock 'n roll but it quickly fades. In addition to Tina and others, Ike's common-law wife is living at his East. St. Louis house. When he and his wife separate, he makes advances to Tina. At first, she feels uncomfortable—he's been like a brother to her and she is not attracted to him. But she soon gives in. She wants to be a singer and continue with the band. As the affair goes on, Tina falls in love with Ike. He is...