Stover at Yale · Chapter
XXIV explained
Stover reconciles himself to losing a senior society election and finds freedom in living his own life.
What happens
Stover reconciles himself to losing a senior society election and finds freedom in living his own life. He hosts a diverse group of students in his rooms, engaging in discussions with Brockhurst, Regan, Story, and Hungerford. Brockhurst loses the Lit Board chairmanship to Wiggin, and Stover consoles him on a walk where Brockhurst delivers a passionate critique of Yale's secret societies as modern idol worship. Despite his resolve, Stover is tempted by the possibility of being tapped for Skull and Bones, especially for Jean Story's sake.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Tradition and Secrecy
Brockhurst delivers a detailed critique of Yale's secret societies as modern idol worship, arguing they stifle independent thought and impose mental subjection.
Individual vs. Institution
Stover struggles between his desire for individual freedom and the institutional pull of senior societies, especially after Brockhurst's critique and his own renewed hope for Bones.
Friendship and Loyalty
Stover consoles Brockhurst after his loss, and the circle of friends (Regan, Story, Hungerford) provides intellectual and emotional support.
Ambition and Leadership
Stover's suppressed ambition for senior society election resurfaces when he sees his name underlined on the Bones list, conflicting with his rebellious stance.
Characters to notice
- Dink Stover
Reconciles to losing senior society election, enjoys liberty, hosts diverse friends, listens more than talks, consoles Brockhurst after his loss, and struggles with renewed desire for Bones.
- Sidney Brockhurst
Loses Lit Board chairmanship to Wiggin, goes on a walk with Stover, and delivers a critique of secret societies as idol worship and mental subjection.
- Tom Regan
Part of Stover's circle, brings Stover to interest in politics and romance of commonplace things.
- Bob Story
Part of Stover's circle, recalls Stover to a judicial point of view and understanding of others.
- Joe Hungerford
Part of Stover's circle, grows into confidential intimacy with Stover, expresses anger at Wiggin's election.
- Jean Story
Stover thinks of her and what she would want, motivating his hope for being tapped.
- Wiggy
Elected chairman of the Lit Board, described as a conscientious plodder.
Key passages
“Once Stover had reconciled himself to the loss of a senior society election, he found ample compensation in the absolute liberty of action that came to him.”
After accepting that he wouldn't be elected to a senior society, Stover enjoyed the freedom to do as he pleased.
Stover's acceptance leads to a period of personal liberation.
“The harm is that this mumbo-jumbo, fee-fi-fo-fum, high cockalorum business is taken seriously. It's the effect on the young imagination that comes here that is harmful.”
The real damage is that this ridiculous secrecy is treated with gravity, corrupting the minds of incoming students.
Brockhurst argues that the societies' mysticism harms students' ability to think independently.
“If I were tapped—it would mean a good deal to her. I'll be darned if I'll let Brocky work me up. I'm not going up against anything more! I've done enough here.”
Being chosen for a society would impress Jean Story, but Stover resolves not to let Brockhurst's arguments sway him into further rebellion.
Stover's internal conflict between his principles and his desire for Jean's approval.
