# V explained — The Eleventh Virgin > Chapter companion for The Eleventh Virgin by Dorothy Day. ## What happens June spends two years at the state university, where she learns little from her classes but gains perspective through menial jobs and exposure to sexual and intellectual discussions. She works for various families, including a bootlegger and the Wittles, where she encounters frank talk about sex and reads works on sexual pathology. She also engages in debates with friends about socialism, birth control, and Nietzsche, and attends readings by poets Masefield, Masters, and Lindsay. ## Themes in this chapter ### Sexual Awakening and Double Standards June's exposure to sexual discussions and literature at the Wittles, and the campus gossip about instructors' relationships. ### Intellectual and Ideological Search June's engagement with poetry, philosophy (Nietzsche), and political debates about socialism and birth control. ## Character check-ins ### June Henreddy Attends university, works various jobs, and engages in intellectual and sexual discussions. ### Regina June's friend who debates socialism and birth control, and is influenced by Mrs. Stokes. ### Jim Pickering Editor of the campus paper, participates in discussions about free speech and birth control. ### Ray Regina's fiancé, cautious about controversial topics in the paper. ### Mrs. Wittle Expecting her second baby, engages June in discussions about sex and abortion. ## Key lines > what you need is perspective, my dear. A boy June dated told her she needed perspective after reading her stories. _This comment shapes June's retrospective view of her university years._ > When found, make a note of it! The Latin professor frequently quoted this line from Dickens, prompting students to take notes. _Illustrates the triviality of some academic instruction June remembers._ > Be present at our table, Lord. Be here and every where, Adored. Bless Thou this food and grant that we May feast in Paradise with Thee. June had to recite this simple grace before meals at a professor's home where she worked. _Highlights the awkwardness of her job and the religious expectations._ > I am an instructor, not a politician. June's economics professor declared his nonpartisan stance. _Reflects the academic avoidance of political advocacy._ > I'll stick to Nietzsche June decides to focus on her own goals rather than fight for social causes. _Shows her adoption of Nietzschean individualism as a coping mechanism._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eleventh_virgin_se/chapters/v - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eleventh_virgin_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eleventh_virgin_se/chapters