logo

69 pages 2 hours read

Mitchell Duneier

Sidewalk

Mitchell DuneierNonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1999

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Important Quotes

Quotation Mark Icon

“My designation was Mitch. This seemed to have a variety of meanings, including: a naïve white man who could himself be exploited for loans of small change and dollar bills; a Jew who was going to make a lot of money off the stories of people working on the street; a white writer who was trying to ‘state the truth about what was going on.’” 


(Introduction , Page 12)

In summarizing the different ways that the predominately black, lower-income people perceive him on the basis of his race, religion, and occupation, Duneier highlights the gaps between himself and his subjects. He works to bridge these gaps through his participant-observer style of research. Here, Duneier implies the challenges inherent in the author-subject divide, as well as the importance of identity in this story.

Quotation Mark Icon

“People like me are the eyes and ears of this street


(Part 1, Chapter 1, Page 17)

Hakim recognizes his role here as a “public character,” in the language of Jane Jacobs. As such, his responsibilities—and those of other vendors—extend beyond bookselling and include keeping the sidewalk safe.

Quotation Mark Icon

“It teaches you about yourself […] and it lets you know you have a self-worth in yourself.” 


(Part 1, Chapter 1, Page 33)

Jerome derives a sense of self-respect through learning, in black books, about the history and accomplishments of people of African descent. These books run counter to the historical mainstream white narrative in America, which has marginalized the lives of black people. 

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 69 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,450+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools