The Rise of Roscoe Paine

"The Rise of Roscoe Paine" by Joseph C. Lincoln is a story set in the early 1900s. It centers around Roscoe Paine, a man in his thirties who feels lost and unsure of himself. He's back in his small hometown of Denboro, and he's trying to deal with the shadow of his father's past. He spends his time interacting with the town's unique characters and wrestling with his own lack of drive. When rich people from out of town start showing up, it shakes things up and brings the topic of social class into the mix. The book begins with Roscoe joking around with his neighbors, Lute and Dorinda Rogers, showing the everyday and funny side of Denboro life. As Roscoe goes into town, hes thinks about how he's seen as lazy and how that makes him feel. Seeing fancy cars and receiving a letter from a rich New Yorker named James Colton makes him feel even more worthless. The beginning of the story sets up Roscoe's internal battles and the pressures he faces from society, suggesting that the story will be about class, personal value, and the difficulties of chasing success.