# XXVII explained — The Plastic Age

> Chapter companion for The Plastic Age by Percy Marks.

## What happens

Hugh's parents arrive for his graduation. The campus is filled with alumni, including the 'five year' classes and twelve men from the fifty-year class. Hugh reflects on the bittersweet nature of graduation, the sadness of the seniors, and the drunken attempts of alumni to recapture their youth. The graduation ceremony is a blur; Hugh receives his diploma and feels a strange thrill. Afterward, a final senior dance reminds him of Cynthia. He takes a last moonlit tour of the campus, filled with memories, and listens to seniors singing the alma mater, feeling both happy and sad.

## Themes in this chapter

### Disillusionment and Loss of Innocence

Seniors are sad and frightened about leaving college; alumni drunkenly try to recapture lost youth, highlighting the end of innocence.

### College Life: Idealism vs. Reality

Hugh reflects on the beauty of college and the uncertain 'world outside,' contrasting idealistic memories with the reality of graduation.

## Character check-ins

### Hugh Carver

Graduates from Sanford, reflects on his college years and the bittersweet farewell.

### Cynthia Day

Hugh thinks of her tenderly during the final dance and his last campus tour.

### Carl Peters

Hugh pauses before Surrey Hall, remembering Carl.

### Norry Parker

Hugh recalls Norry during his walk past Keller Hall.

### Pudge Jamieson

Hugh remembers Pudge rooming in Surrey Hall.

### Professor Henley

Hugh recalls Henley's earlier words about Sanford being far from perfect but gripping one's heart.

## Key lines

> He was graduated; he was a bachelor of science.

Hugh received his diploma and officially became a bachelor of science.

_Marks the formal completion of Hugh's college education._

> He was both happy and sad—happy because the great adventure was before him with all its mystery, sad because he was leaving something beautiful behind.

Hugh felt a mix of joy for the future and sorrow for leaving college.

_Captures the central emotional conflict of the chapter._

## Links

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