55 pages • 1 hour read
Doris Kearns GoodwinAn Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2024A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapter 12-EpilogueChapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 12 Summary: “Endings and Beginnings”
Chapter 12 captures the aftermath of the tumultuous 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago and Richard Goodwin’s efforts amidst the chaos. The chapter begins with Dick and Doris sorting through memorabilia from the convention, highlighting the violent encounters between police and antiwar protesters that marked the event. Following Bobby Kennedy’s assassination, Dick rejoined Eugene McCarthy’s campaign, driven by the nation’s collective paralysis after the deaths of King and Kennedy. McCarthy’s speechwriter, Jeremy Larner, noted Dick’s heightened activity level as he worked tirelessly to keep the campaign effective, despite McCarthy’s disorientation.
The narrative details the stagnant Vietnam peace talks, which were hindered by disagreements over negotiation logistics and conditions. Dick, striving to end the war, faced personal antagonism and media mockery for his perceived vacillation between candidates. Despite this, McCarthy valued Dick’s loyalty, likening him to a professional ballplayer who never compromised his integrity.
The chapter recounts the violent clashes at the convention, where antiwar protesters and police engaged in brutal confrontations. Despite McCarthy’s warnings, his volunteers flocked to Chicago, hoping for a miraculous political shift. Dick, disillusioned but determined, spearheaded efforts to draft a “peace plank” for the party platform. The intense battle over the plank culminated in its defeat, but the significant support it garnered highlighted a growing dissent within the Democratic Party.
Amidst the convention’s chaos, Dick orchestrated a peaceful candlelight procession to Grant Park, symbolizing solidarity with the battered demonstrators. Throughout the sixties, Dick found himself at pivotal historical moments, and the 1968 convention was no exception. His involvement in the debate over the Vietnam peace plank solidified his role in the era’s defining events.
The chapter closes with Dick reflecting on the police assault on McCarthy’s volunteers at the Hilton Hotel, emphasizing the indiscriminate violence and his sense of moral clarity. The aftermath of the convention left a lasting impact on Dick, paralleling the broader disillusionment with American politics at the time.
Chapter 13 Summary: “Our Talisman”
Chapter 13 begins with Dick and Doris celebrating the completion of sorting through the Sixties boxes with a bottle of champagne. Despite this milestone, they face another hundred boxes documenting Dick’s life post-politics. After the tragedies of the late 1960s, Dick retreated to Maine, determined to effect change through writing and activism rather than waiting for political heroes. The chapter reflects on the major figures of the sixties who had passed away, and Dick’s enduring belief in the power of public sentiment to drive change.
The narrative shifts to personal reflections and tributes, highlighting Dick’s enduring friendships, such as with Jackie Kennedy and Lady Bird Johnson. Doris recounts a touching moment when Lady Bird, despite her health challenges, expressed her appreciation for Doris’s work on Abraham Lincoln through applause relayed by her daughter.
The chapter also explores how revisiting the past mellowed Dick’s acrimony toward Lyndon Johnson and deepened Doris’s appreciation for John Kennedy. Their discussions on historical “what if” scenarios regarding the actions of JFK and LBJ showcase their evolving perspectives.
Dick’s health issues, including shortness of breath and a cancer diagnosis, become a central focus. Despite his stubbornness, he eventually agrees to surgery and radiation treatment. The couple’s routines provide solace during this challenging time, and their collaborative book project becomes a symbol of life and continuity.
As Dick undergoes radiation, he maintains a sense of humor and resilience, even as the treatments take a toll on his body. The couple continues their traditions, cherishing their time together. The chapter concludes with a sense of impending loss but also a deep appreciation for the life they have shared and the work they continue to do together.
Epilogue Summary
In the epilogue, Doris grapples with the loss of her husband. Following his death, she attempts to outrun her grief by immersing herself in a demanding lecture tour for her book on leadership. This frenetic pace provides temporary relief but ultimately fails to ease her sorrow. Upon returning to Concord, she is engulfed by loneliness, acutely feeling Dick’s absence in their shared routines and spaces.
Struggling to stay in their home without Dick, Doris decides to move to an apartment in Boston. This decision mirrors her father’s choice after her mother’s death, a move she now understands. Downsizing proves challenging—especially deciding which books to keep. Fortunately, the Concord Free Public Library offers to house the remaining volumes in a dedicated space, the Goodwin Forum, ensuring their collection remains accessible to the community.
As she settles into her new life, Doris contemplates finishing the project she and Dick began: exploring his boxes of documents from the sixties. Recognizing the enduring relevance of the issues from that era, she resolves to continue their work. Inspired by Lincoln’s call to preserve living history, she embraces the project, viewing it as a way to honor Dick’s memory and contribute to understanding today’s challenges.
Chapter 12-Epilogue Analysis
In the concluding chapters of the text, Goodwin’s story culminates in a reflection on loss and legacy. The aftermath of the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago highlights the chaotic and violent encounters between police and antiwar protesters. Goodwin’s deeply personal involvement and emotional connection to these events are evident as she recounts her husband Richard Goodwin’s efforts amidst the chaos. This reveals an intimate portrayal of Richard’s experiences, underscoring Personal and Professional Relationships Against the Backdrop of Major Historical Events as Richard navigates his roles and responsibilities during a turbulent time. The symbolic significance of a splintered police club found in a box illustrates the emotional impact of the convention. Goodwin reflects on the moment she discovered the artifact:
‘It was a sad time, a dismal time,’ Dick recalled as we sorted through a box overflowing with materials saved from the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago: delegate guides, memos, newspaper clippings, memorabilia, voter surveys, a draft for a platform plank on Vietnam, and, most curiously, a splintered police club. From Theodore White’s reporting, I knew that Dick had come into possession of the splintered club that served as a gruesome symbol of the violent encounters between police and antiwar protesters that would doom the Chicago convention, but it startled me to discover the actual club still in a box nearly half a century later (369).
This artifact, a gruesome reminder of the violent clashes, serves as a symbol of the chaotic atmosphere and the personal stakes involved. Goodwin’s description of Richard’s tireless efforts to influence the peace plank at the convention, despite personal antagonism and public scrutiny, highlights his commitment to ending the Vietnam War. The recounting of these efforts and the surrounding chaos provides a deeper understanding of the historical context and the personal sacrifices made.
In Chapter 13, Goodwin reflects on the period following the tragedies of the late 1960s. Richard’s retreat to Maine and his shift from active politics to writing and activism highlight his continued commitment to effecting change. Goodwin’s personal reflections on their friendships and collaborations with figures like Jackie Kennedy and Lady Bird Johnson add depth to the narrative, illustrating The Personal Impact of Historical Figures. Goodwin captures Dick’s evolving perspective on political change when she writes, “His belief in the necessity for fundamental change was greater than ever, but the time of waiting for the advent of heroes—the great man or woman who would set things right—was over. Real change, he felt, would only come when an aroused public sentiment made it happen” (394). This quote serves as a coda for the man as well as the book, emphasizing his relentless drive to effect change until the end.
Furthermore, Goodwin’s reflective structure shows Goodwin and Richard sorting through memorabilia from the sixties, prompting discussions on historical “what if” scenarios. This approach not only provides historical context but also deepens the emotional resonance of the narrative. The champagne toast and the recollections of Jackie Kennedy and Lady Bird Johnson illustrate the enduring impact of these relationships on their lives and work. Goodwin captures the significance of their project when she describes the moment when “Dick handed me a glass of champagne. Extending his glass to mine, he said, ‘to you, who have helped bring all these people back to life for me’“ (394). This moment underscores the emotional and collaborative bond between them, highlighting the personal fulfillment and continuity in their shared work, thematically supporting The Intersection of Marriage and Politics.
Goodwin’s storytelling and stylistic choices enhance the narrative, helping to make it more engaging and impactful. Her descriptive language portrays the historical figures and events, while her use of dialogue helps bring these interactions to life. For example, Chapter 12’s depiction of the violent clashes at the Democratic convention and the emotional toll on Richard and other participants is particularly striking. The narrative conveys the urgency and gravity of the decisions made, highlighting the stakes. Goodwin’s portrayal not only emphasizes the chaotic nature of the events but also the emotional impact on those involved, providing a deeper understanding of the personal and historical context. Additionally, Goodwin’s use of metaphors captures the mixed emotions of uncovering the past, full of both valuable memories and potentially painful discoveries. For example, the metaphor of the unopened boxes enhances the narrative by illustrating the complexity of Richard Goodwin’s reflections on his years of public service.
The epilogue’s exploration of Goodwin’s grief and her decision to continue their work suggests the importance of preserving living history and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. This thematic focus reinforces the interconnectedness of personal and historical narratives, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the era and its lasting impact on contemporary issues.
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