Hudson River Bracketed · Chapter
XII explained
Vance and Upton attend a baseball game in New Jersey, where Vance observes Upton's transformation into a confident youth.
What happens
Vance and Upton attend a baseball game in New Jersey, where Vance observes Upton's transformation into a confident youth. After the game, they go to the Crans' with Bunty Hayes and others, leading to a three-day absence. Upon return, Mrs. Tracy confronts Vance, accusing him of leading Upton astray and taking Mr. Lorburn's books, and orders him to leave Paul's Landing.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Cultural Divide
Vance observes Upton's transformation from a shy nursery worker to a confident youth among the baseball crowd, highlighting the divide between rural and urban social spheres.
The Pursuit of Wealth and Success
Vance's desire to see New York and hunt up an editor reflects his ambition for literary success, though he only gets a distant view of skyscrapers.
Characters to notice
- Vance Weston
Attends baseball game, feels convalescent, goes to Crans' with Bunty Hayes, returns after three days, is confronted by Mrs. Tracy and ordered to leave.
- Upton Tracy
Shows unexpected confidence at the game, reveals a double life, leads Vance into the outing, avoids defending Vance to his mother.
- Laura Lou
Wants to join the trip but is left behind by Upton; Vance feels compunction about her.
- Bunty Hayes
Provides tickets to the game, invites Vance and Upton to the Crans', part of the crowd that leads to the extended absence.
- Mrs. Tracy
Angry and hurt by Vance and Upton's absence, accuses Vance of taking Mr. Lorburn's books and leading Upton astray, orders Vance to leave.
Key passages
“Life became a perspiring struggle, a struggle for air, for a foothold, for a sight of anything but the hot dripping napes and shoulder blades that hemmed them in.”
The experience turned into a sweaty fight for space and breath, surrounded by the hot, damp backs of the crowd.
Describes the intense physical discomfort of the baseball crowd.
“It was evident that Upton had already acquired the art of the double life, and that the sheepish boy who went about his job at the Paul’s Landing nursery... was the pale shade of the real Upton.”
Upton clearly led a double life, with his shy work persona being a mere shadow of his confident social self.
Highlights Upton's transformation and secret social life.
“She gathered up the basket of pods and the bowl of shelled peas, and walked into the kitchen.”
She picked up the basket and bowl of peas and went into the kitchen.
Shows Mrs. Tracy's mundane action after her angry confrontation.