Kay, Jackie: *1961

Trumpet, 1998 - Thematic Parallels: Relationships

Kay, Jackie: Trumpet, 1998
Trumpet is a poignant exploration of transgender identity, family, grief, and the enduring quest for acceptance and understanding in the face of societal expectations.
The following books are thematically simliar. Having read "Trumpet," the following texts lend themselves well to being read in groups, compared with one another, or used to teach a similar topic over an extended period with a class:
- Cooper, J. California: Family, 1969, ~290pp
  This novel delves into family relationships, generational ties, and the impact of heritage.
  While "Trumpet" focuses more intimately on gender and performativity, and "Family" centers on race, history, and generational survival, both works are deeply humanistic, offering nuanced critiques of identity, family, and legacy. They align most strongly in their rejection of traditional norms, their celebration of love in all forms, and their insistence on the right to self-definition.
- Kunkel, Benjamin: Indecision, 1908, ~230pp
  A coming-of-age story that deals with romantic indecision and the search for meaningful relationships.
  Both novels challenge the notion of a stable, essential self and foreground the constructedness of identity. Kay’s “Trumpet” does so through the lens of gender and social “passing,” while Kunkel’s “Indecision” explores the paralysis that comes from too many possible selves. Both texts ultimately suggest that identity is not a fixed truth but a process—performed, narrated, and always unfinished.
- Miller, Sue: While I Was Gone, 1980, ~100pp
  The novel focuses on marriage, infidelity, and the long-term impact of past relationships.
  Both novels align in their deep exploration of identity and emotional depth Both use innovative storytelling to reveal layered truths and evoke empathy for their characters’ struggles.
- Wilder, Thornton: Our Town, 2004, ~170pp
  This play examines everyday life in a small town, focusing on family, marriage, and the passage of time—highlighting the beauty and fragility of human relationships.
  Both works invite reflection on how people live and relate to one another, but "Our Town" universalizes human experience, whereas "Trumpet" highlights identity, politics, and social change.
List of general discussion questions on Relationships (pdf)
List of essay prompts on Relationships (pdf)