Chapter XVIII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Disillusionment and Loss of Innocence

  Hugh's growing disgust with Sanford and Nu Delta, his feeling of being 'bilked,' and his regret over ignoring Graham's advice highlight his loss of idealistic expectations about college and fraternity life.

• Social Class and Fraternity Snobbery

  Tucker's criticism of Hugh's friendships with Parker (Catholic) and Einstein (Jewish) underscores the fraternity's snobbery and prejudice, and Hugh's defiance reflects class and ethnic tensions.

• College Life: Idealism vs. Reality

  Hugh's conflict with Tucker over activities and his father's naive expectations versus the actual fraternity culture illustrate the gap between idealistic visions of college and its harsh realities.

Characters to notice

• Hugh Carver

  Disillusioned with Sanford and Nu Delta; refuses a role in the musical comedy; defends his friendships and independence; reflects on his father's advice and Graham's warning.

• Bob Tucker

  Confronts Hugh about refusing the Dramatic Society part; accuses him of not contributing to the fraternity; later apologizes and tries to smooth things over.

• Norry Parker

  Hugh's Catholic friend; a sensitive, artistic freshman who plays violin and writes poetry; shares a deep bond with Hugh over beauty and creativity.

• Malcolm Graham

  Referenced by Hugh as having warned him about joining the wrong fraternity; Hugh regrets not taking his advice.

• Carl Peters

  Hugh misses him; mentioned as a friend Hugh wishes to room with but hesitates due to fraternity tensions.

Key passages

• “Sanford’s virtues were hard for Hugh to find, and they grew more inconspicuous as the term advanced. For the time being nothing seemed worth while: he was disgusted with himself, the undergraduates, and the fraternity; he felt that the college had bilked him.”

  Hugh could no longer see any good in Sanford, and as the semester went on, the college's merits became even harder to spot. He felt disgusted with himself, his fellow students, and his fraternity, convinced that the college had cheated him.

  Hugh's deep disillusionment with Sanford and his own situation is established early in the chapter.

• “I was the wise bird,” he told himself caustically; “I was the guy who knew all about it. Graham saw what would happen, and I didn’t have sense enough to take his advice. Hell, I never even thought about what he told me. I knew that I would be in heaven if Nu Delta gave me a bid. Heaven! Well, I’m glad that they were too high-hat for Norry Parker and that he went with the right bunch.”

  Hugh bitterly mocked his own earlier confidence, admitting that Graham had predicted his troubles but he was too naive to listen. He had thought Nu Delta would be paradise, but now he was glad Parker had been rejected and joined a better fraternity.

  Hugh reflects on his past arrogance and regrets ignoring Graham's warning about fraternity choices.

• “I see things,” he said to Hugh one moonlight night as they strolled through the woods; “I see things, lovely little creatures flitting around among the trees: I mean I see them when I’m alone. I like to lie on my back in the meadows and look at the clouds and imagine myself sitting on a big fellow and sailing and sailing away to heaven.”

  Norry told Hugh that he often saw fairy-like beings in the woods when alone, and he loved to lie in meadows, imagining himself riding a cloud to heaven.

  Norry's mystical and poetic nature is revealed, deepening his bond with Hugh.