"A Summer Tragedy" is a short story written by Arna Bontemps, an African American author, poet, and librarian, known for his contributions to the Harlem Renaissance movement. The story was first published in 1933 in the magazine "Opportunity: A Journal of Negro Life" and later included in Bontemps' collection of short stories titled "Drums at Dusk" (1939). The narrative revolves around the lives of an elderly African American couple, Jeff and Jennie Patton, who live in the rural South. The couple is deeply in love, but they are struggling financially, and their health is deteriorating. Despite their hardships, they find solace in each other's company. The tragedy unfolds as Jeff and Jennie make the difficult decision to end their lives together rather than face the prospect of being separated due to their failing health and inability to afford medical care. They believe that dying together is a better fate than facing old age alone. The story explores themes of love, poverty, aging, and the struggles of African Americans in the early 20th century South. Bontemps' narrative style is characterized by its realism and emotional depth, providing a poignant portrayal of the human condition.
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