# XIX explained — The Plastic Age

> Chapter companion for The Plastic Age by Percy Marks.

## What happens

Hugh finds contentment in friendships with Norry Parker, Burbank, and Winsor, but his life is disrupted by the Nu Delta house dance. He is repulsed by the drunken, lewd behavior of brothers and girls, including Hester Sheville's advances. After discovering a couple in bed and witnessing the debauchery, he storms out, considers resigning from the fraternity, but ultimately wavers, feeling like a prude and a cynic.

## Themes in this chapter

### Alcohol and Excess

The dance is marked by widespread drunkenness among both men and women, with Hugh repulsed by the whisky breaths, vomiting, and 'crying jag,' highlighting the theme of alcohol-fueled debauchery.

### Sexuality and Morality

Hugh witnesses couples in close embrace, a girl and man in bed, and Hester's aggressive petting, leading him to question his own prudishness and the moral decay of the fraternity.

### Disillusionment and Loss of Innocence

Hugh's idealistic view of college and fraternity is shattered by the dance's reality, leaving him cynical and uncertain about his place in the brotherhood.

## Character check-ins

### Hugh Carver

Hugh enjoys a period of calm with friends but is deeply disturbed by the Nu Delta dance, where he confronts drunkenness and sexual misconduct, leading to a crisis of conscience about his fraternity membership.

### Norry Parker

Norry is a mystical, dreamy companion whose friendship brings Hugh happiness, though constant association would be a strain.

### Melville Burbank

Burbank introduces Hugh to a professor's daughter and is part of the robust, earthy friendship circle that balances Parker's mysticism.

### George Winsor

Winsor is another earnest, robust friend who contributes to Hugh's pleasant social life.

### Hester Sheville

Hester is a half-drunk girl at the dance who aggressively pursues Hugh, repelling him with her whisky breath and lascivious behavior.

### Janet Harton

Janet sends Hugh a note announcing her engagement, which he receives with indifference.

## Key lines

> He did not own a dress-suit, and he would have had no use for it if he had; only tuxedos were worn.

Hugh lacked a full dress suit but didn't need one since undergraduates only wore tuxedos.

_Highlights the specific dress code of the era for college dances._

> So that’s what you stand for, is it? For snobs and politicians and muckers. Well, I don’t want any more of you — not — one — damn — bit — more — of — you.

Hugh angrily addresses his fraternity pin, declaring it represents snobbery and corruption, and decides to resign.

_Captures Hugh's moment of intense disillusionment with the fraternity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters/xix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_plastic_age_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_plastic_age_se/chapters