Alvin’s War and Return

The Plot Against America

Alvin’s enlistment, amputation, and later estrangement trace the lasting cost of acting on principle under political pressure.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Canadian Enlistment The Canadian Enlistment from "The Plot Against America". The Canadian Enlistment A moral decision Alvin rejects Abe Steinheim’s offer of college and leaves for Canada to fight Adolf Hitler.

The Canadian Enlistment from "The Plot Against America". The Canadian Enlistment A moral decision Alvin rejects Abe Steinheim’s offer of college and leaves for Canada to fight Adolf Hitler.

The Canadian Enlistment A moral decision Alvin rejects Abe Steinheim’s offer of college and leaves for Canada to fight Adolf Hitler. He sees opposition to fascism as more important than security or career advancement. Family disagreement Herman believes Alvin is throwing away a rare opportunity.

Wounded in France Wounded in France from "The Plot Against America". Wounded in France The cost of combat Alvin is wounded during a commando operation in France and loses his left leg below the knee.

Wounded in France from "The Plot Against America". Wounded in France The cost of combat Alvin is wounded during a commando operation in France and loses his left leg below the knee.

Wounded in France The cost of combat Alvin is wounded during a commando operation in France and loses his left leg below the knee. A Canadian hospital treats him, but physical recovery does not end his anger or despair. A distant family His relatives receive only fragmentary news and fear the consequences of his injury.

The Homecoming The Homecoming from "The Plot Against America". The Homecoming A damaged return Alvin returns to Newark on crutches, thin and withdrawn, with an artificial leg that does not fit.

The Homecoming from "The Plot Against America". The Homecoming A damaged return Alvin returns to Newark on crutches, thin and withdrawn, with an artificial leg that does not fit.

The Homecoming A damaged return Alvin returns to Newark on crutches, thin and withdrawn, with an artificial leg that does not fit. Philip is frightened by the visible injury and by Alvin’s bitterness. New dependence The family must adjust its home and its expectations around his recovery.

A Brief Recovery A Brief Recovery from "The Plot Against America". A Brief Recovery Care and connection Philip learns to bandage Alvin’s stump and helps him walk and dress.

A Brief Recovery from "The Plot Against America". A Brief Recovery Care and connection Philip learns to bandage Alvin’s stump and helps him walk and dress.

A Brief Recovery Care and connection Philip learns to bandage Alvin’s stump and helps him walk and dress. Alvin gives Philip his Canadian medal, creating a private bond built on trust and service. Fragile progress Physical improvement briefly restores closeness, but Alvin’s anger remains unresolved.

The Philadelphia Departure The Philadelphia Departure from "The Plot Against America". The Philadelphia Departure A downward turn Alvin returns to gambling and associates with Shushy Margulis, abandoning the heroic identity Philip had given him.

The Philadelphia Departure from "The Plot Against America". The Philadelphia Departure A downward turn Alvin returns to gambling and associates with Shushy Margulis, abandoning the heroic identity Philip had given him.

The Philadelphia Departure A downward turn Alvin returns to gambling and associates with Shushy Margulis, abandoning the heroic identity Philip had given him. After FBI pressure costs him work, he leaves for Philadelphia and the rackets. A future remade His survival takes a direction far removed from the idealism that sent him to war.

February 1941

summer 1941

January 1942

early 1942

spring 1942