They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Cover Artist: not identified
By: McCoy, Horace
Publisher: New American Library (Penguin Signet Books 670)
Place of Publication:New York, NY
Catalog #: Kelley Box 327: PS3525 .A1715 T47 1948
Contributor:
M. Davis
General
Era: 1930s
Author as on Cover: Horace McCoy
Publication:1948
Original Date: 1935
Setting: urban; working-class people caught in the Great Depression enter a dance marathon
Plot Summary
Robert Syverten, who aspires to be a film director but can't even land a part as an extra, befriends Gloria Beatty, whose movie career is also going nowhere. Gloria persuades Robert to enter a dance marathon; with nothing else to do and in need of the free food, he agrees. As the days and weeks of the dance marathon pass, Gloria sinks further and further into despondency, and Robert's optimism about the future also begins to dim.
Major Characters
Robert Syverten adult male, aspiring movie director, works as a movie extra
Gloria Beatty adult female, blonde, not very pretty, aspiring actress
Weapons
pistol
Level of Violence
in addition to the murder, mostly fist fights; one knife fight (not described in detail) used primarily to show the stress of the Depression.
Sexuality
not a significant element of the novel.
Gender Roles
no particular significance; the Depression has made both genders equally vulnerable and desperate. Neither gender is portrayed as stronger, either emotionally or physically.
Ethnicity
not a significant element
Alcohol/Drug Abuse
not a significant element
Law Enforcement
not a significant element
Added Features
the dance marathon depicts the desperation of the victims of the Depression. Gloria's depression and her resulting emotional "paralysis" illustrate the crippling effect of depression.
Subject Headings
California - Hollywood/ Business Depression, 1929/ Murder/ Dance marathons
Psychological Elements
depression: from the beginning of the novel, Gloria expresses a desire to be dead, but admits that she doesn't have the emotional strength to commit suicide. As the story progresses, her depression deepens, and Robert becomes convinced that the kindest thing he can do for her is to kill her.
Film Adaptations
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, 1969, Cinerama
