An American Marriage by Tayari Jones explores a variety of issues that blacks experience today. Roy and Celestial, a young couple from Atlanta, have been married for just over a year when Roy is arrested and sentenced to 12 years in jail. Even though the young couple was aware of the challenges before them, they believed that life in the US had changed for the better for African Americans. They thought that they would not be targeted personally. However, the arrest of Roy changes their minds about the state of disparity since it changes their lives forever. Initially, the question of whether Roy would be sentenced appears dominant. Nevertheless, after he is convicted the focus shifts to whether their union would survive. The situation is complicated even further when Andre, Roy’s childhood friend becomes Celestial’s lover.
Basically, a contemplation of love and whether it can survive enables the author to address the conflicting issues of systemic disparity and the ambitions of upwardly middle-class young African Americans. Even though Celestial keeps and develops her successful career, she is bound by the knowledge that she cannot endure the pressure experienced by other women of color. For her husband, the attempt to stay safe, to stay alive and to get early release subjugates his drive. Nevertheless, Celestial concerns grow ever more distant. Celestial’s infidelity when her husband is away, and Andre’s incapability to support his friend, makes the reader to find compassion and suspense, wondering whether and how Roy would get released and then cope with the repercussion of rejuvenating his broken life.
In the last sections, Roy and Celestial resume the exchanging of letters. The first letter from Roy makes it clear that the two are officially divorced. Roy expresses resentment over his deeds, giving his reasoning for having fought Andre in the manner he did. However, in his final letter, Roy reflects an admission that neither he nor Celestial may completely regulate their fates, though it is still within their power to find happiness and live in harmony.
