Sympathy For Mr. Newman Chapter Summary

J.F. Powers displays a situation which convicts sympathy in readers for the main character, Mr. Newman, without becoming sentimental himself. Powers’ depressive social reality constructs a small but potent sadness in readers by sharing Mr. Newman’s unwanted experience and his thoughts about what is happening to him. Powers never directly analyzes Mr. Newman’s thoughts, but states them simply and accompanies them with adjectives that create a small, grey puff of sadness around them in readers’ minds. This puff expands into a larger cloud as the story continues and readers develop a greater empathy for Mr. Newman, and it ends in a full blown rain storm when we are let down by the ending, in which we know that Mr. Newman will not be able to keep

this temporary job. Mr. Newman acts optimistic, but he knows that there is no happy ending to his story.
In the introductory paragraphs, Mr. Newman “approach(es) the information girl … radiat(ing) timidity,” (pg 5). Readers begin to relate to this, because most people have approached a situation nervously before. In the continuation of this scene, Mr. Newman tries to be funny in order to lighten the mood and to put a positive spin on things. This gives readers a sense of optimism. Finally, Mr. Newman is delighted when “The smile she gave him was alive,” (pg 5). This line seals nervous hopefulness into readers, and enables them to understand how Mr. Newman feels. Powers has begun to evoke empathy in readers, so that they can feel the same way as Powers does. Without becoming sentimental about his own life, J.F Powers has conveyed sympathy for Mr. Newman’s plight.
During the next phase of Mr. Newman’s search for work, he meets his new boss. When he enters his office, Mr. Newman is “Caught napping! A bad beginning!” (pg 7).