In 'Jack', Marilynne Robinson explores the life of John Ames Boughton, the troubled son of a Presbyterian minister in Gilead, Iowa, who falls in love with Della Miles, an African American teacher, in post-World War II St. Louis. The novel addresses themes of racial inequality, religious belief, and the legacy of American history, highlighting the complexities of their relationship. This work is part of Robinson's Gilead series, celebrated for its profound insights into the American experience.