The Plastic Age · Chapter
XVI explained
Hugh's disillusionment with college deepens as he finds professors uninspiring, fraternity life cliquish and snobbish, and his own values challenged.
What happens
Hugh's disillusionment with college deepens as he finds professors uninspiring, fraternity life cliquish and snobbish, and his own values challenged. After a drunken incident with prostitutes, Harry Slade intervenes to protect Hugh's chastity, and Carl Peters later reveals he has contracted a venereal disease and must leave college. Carl's departure and heartfelt letter urging Hugh to stay straight profoundly affect Hugh.
Themes in this chapter
Disillusionment and Loss of Innocence
Hugh's illusions about professors, fraternity brotherhood, and his own moral choices are shattered.
Social Class and Fraternity Snobbery
Nu Delta's exclusion of Catholics and Jews, and the emphasis on money, athletics, and prep school background.
Sexuality and Morality
The incident with prostitutes, Harry Slade's intervention, Carl's disease and departure, and Hugh's resolve to stay straight.
Characters to notice
- Hugh Carver
Experiences disillusionment with professors, fraternity, and his own actions; deeply affected by Carl's departure and letter.
- Carl Peters
Leaves college after contracting a venereal disease from prostitutes; writes a farewell letter urging Hugh to stay straight.
- Harry Slade
Rescues Hugh from a drunken encounter with prostitutes, expressing admiration and concern for Hugh's chastity.
- Bob Tucker
As fraternity president, censures Hugh for befriending a Jewish student and reinforces Nu Delta's anti-Semitic policies.
- Malcolm Graham
Mentioned as someone Hugh wishes he could still consult for advice about fraternity disappointments.
- Gordon Ross
Cited as one of the men from whom Hugh learns more than from his professors.
Key passages
“Hugh wasn’t troubled only by religion and sex; the whole college was disturbing his peace of mind: all of his illusions were being ruthlessly shattered.”
Hugh's distress extended beyond religious and sexual doubts; his entire college experience was destroying his naive beliefs.
Opening sentence sets the theme of disillusionment.
“He learned more in the bull sessions than he did in the classroom, and men like Ross and Burbank were teaching him more than his instructors.”
Informal discussions with peers taught Hugh more than his formal classes did.
Highlights the inadequacy of formal education at Sanford.
“The snobbery of the fraternity cut Hugh deeply. He was a friendly lad who had never been taught prejudice.”
Hugh was hurt by the fraternity's bigotry, having grown up without such biases.
Contrasts Hugh's open-mindedness with fraternity exclusivity.
“I know how he feels, and I’m awfully glad he butted in and pulled you away. I’d hate to see you messing around with bags like that myself, and if I hadn’t been drunk I wouldn’t have let you.”
Carl approves of Slade's intervention, admitting he would have stopped Hugh if sober.
Shows Carl's regret and protective feelings toward Hugh.
“I just want to say that you are the finest thing that ever happened to me outside of my mother, and I respect you more than any fellow I’ve ever known.”
Carl expresses deep admiration and respect for Hugh in his farewell letter.
Reveals the emotional bond between Carl and Hugh.
