The plot of Vinson Cunningham’s debut novel, Great Expectations, offers a compelling exploration of race, class, and the American dream against the backdrop of Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign. The story follows David Hammond, a young Black father and college dropout navigating life in pre-financial crisis New York City. His journey takes an unexpected turn when he’s hired as a fundraising assistant for a charismatic senator, a thinly veiled stand-in for Obama.
Contents
David’s Picaresque Journey
David’s experiences on the campaign trail form the core of the Great Expectations plot. From intimate cocktail parties to bustling conferences and grassroots rallies across the country, he observes the intricate dance of politics firsthand. He witnesses the senator’s calculated charm, the maneuvering of wealthy donors, and the hopes and anxieties of “ordinary Americans.”
These encounters fuel David’s introspective reflections on race, class, and the elusive American dream. He acts as a keen observer, his thoughts unfolding in stream-of-consciousness style reminiscent of Rachel Cusk. The deliberate omission of real names, referring to Obama as “the senator” or “the candidate,” lends a fabulist quality to the near-historical narrative.
Predestination vs. Destiny
A key theme woven throughout the Great Expectations plot is the interplay of politics and religion. David grapples with the concept of “predestination” – a divinely orchestrated path – versus destiny, a path devoid of a higher power. This theme is mirrored in the senator’s seemingly effortless rise, his trajectory appearing almost preordained. David’s own involvement with the campaign, even his romantic entanglement with his client’s mother, Beverly, feels guided by an unseen hand.
The Illusion of Effortlessness
Despite the senator’s aura of invincibility, Great Expectations reveals the machinery behind the magic. Cunningham, drawing on his own experience working on the Obama campaign, exposes the grueling work, strategic calculations, and carefully crafted image-making that create the illusion of effortless charisma. The novel depicts the senator’s moments of frustration, his demands, and the toll the campaign takes on those around him.
The Price of Power
The Great Expectations plot also highlights the transactional nature of politics. Characters, like Cornel West, are embraced and then discarded when they no longer serve a purpose. The novel explores the corrupting influence of money, the power of collective movements, and the allure of myth-making in the political arena.
A Move of God?
A pivotal scene in Great Expectations involves a meeting between David and a Pentecostal megachurch preacher at a Los Angeles fundraiser. The preacher’s presence, despite his public denouncement of politics, suggests a belief in the senator’s transcendent potential, a belief that his victory will usher in an era of miracles. This encounter underscores the blurring lines between politics and faith, the hope for transformative change, and the power of belief.
The Crashing Wave
While Great Expectations chronicles the exhilarating rise of a political star, it also hints at the inevitable fall. The novel acknowledges that even the most powerful waves eventually crash, reminding us of the cyclical nature of power and the fleeting nature of political triumphs. David’s journey ultimately serves as a meditation on ambition, disillusionment, and the enduring complexities of the American dream.