Summary
Set against the backdrop of America in the early 20th century, The Gay Cockade is a richly sentimental and patriotic novel that blends romance, honor, and national pride in Temple Bailey’s signature dramatic style.
The story centers on Jean McKenzie, a spirited young woman from a respectable Virginia family, and Randy Paine, her childhood friend turned romantic interest, who wears the “gay cockade” — a symbol of loyalty, idealism, and devotion to country.
As their bond deepens, they must navigate personal trials, social expectations, and the pressures of a nation on the brink of modern transformation.
Themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the power of character run throughout the novel, with Bailey casting a nostalgic light on traditional American values while still acknowledging the emotional complexities of love and loss.
Characters are often drawn as moral exemplars or cautionary figures, reinforcing the story’s larger meditation on honor and integrity in a rapidly changing world.
Published in 1921, The Gay Cockade reflects post–World War I American sentiment — blending old-fashioned romance with patriotic undertones.
It celebrates idealized masculinity, virtue, and the quiet strength of women in supporting both family and country.