# II: Starting Gaily explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

The family departs from Goshen, Indiana, in their new car, leaving the nurse and two older brothers to follow by train. They travel through Michigan, stopping for lunch near Coldwater and unexpectedly visiting Ann Arbor, where they meet the football coach Mr. Yost. They finally arrive in Detroit late at night at the home of relatives.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Generational Conflict

The parents' bickering and the children's behavior reflect generational tensions.

### Satire of Media and Business

The father's sports expertise and betting on the White Sox satirize the business of sports.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Grant

The father, who drives the family car and makes sarcastic remarks about the journey.

### Mrs. Green

The mother, who comments on the thirst and the abnormal school, and changes the subject to the League of Nations.

### John Knowles

The narrator, who partakes of fried chicken and doughnuts and hopes to meet normal people.

## Key lines

> We will stop at Coldwater for lunch said my father with a strate face as he pulls most of his lines without changeing expressions.

The father announces a lunch stop in Coldwater, delivering his jokes with a deadpan expression.

_The father's dry humor is a recurring trait._

> Heavens said my mother this must be a abnormal school to have such a large football field.

The mother jokes that the school must be abnormal because of its large football field.

_The mother's wit contrasts with the father's sarcasm._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii-starting-gaily
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters