The Street by Ann Petry

The street written by Ann Perry, the first novel written by an African-American woman to sell for more than million copies. The novel points out the poverty, racism and sexism that trapped the young Lutie Johnson.

 Lutie Johnson is the main character who goes through hardships by working as a live-in maidservant to earn a living so she can take care of her son and her husband who doesn't have a job which destroys her marriage. She leaves her husband for cheating on her and takes her son Bub away to stay with her dad and his lover.

Lutie is dissatisfied with the habits of her dad's lover and what she teaches Bub so she goes to rent an apartment at 116th Street in Harlem. Lutie thinks she can live with her son in peace but with bad luck on her side her aim was not achieved. Lutie's job makes it difficult to see her son during the day so she doesn't know what her son is up most of the time.

She finds a friend called Boots who loves her voice and wants her to be her partner. However Junto, Boots boss is sexually interested in Lutie but she has fully founded her belief in adages of Benjamin Franklin that by working hard and saving wisely, she also can be financially for like him.

Lutie survives two rape attempts from Jones the superintendent and Boots whom she considered as a friend. The first rape attempt she was saved by Mrs. Hedges who host sex workers in her house. This made Jones very angry and by seeking revenge, he offers an illegal job to Bub for a couple of dollars which landed him in children's shelter. In order to save her son she needs to get him a lawyer. she turns to Boots thinking he was her friend not knowing he wanted to help her only if Jutie gives him sex. Lutie in her rage kills Boots and flees Harlem leaving behind her sin and her dreams.