Chapter 9 "Major Major Major Major" Summary

Major Major Major is mislead by his father into believing that his name is Caleb Major. Not until he enrolls in kindergarten does he learn that his father, as a practical joke, legally named him with first and middle names to match his last, making him Major Major Major. This fact, coupled with his resemblance to Henry Fonda, destroys Major's self-esteem and undermines his identity. In the military, a computer error promotes Major Major to the rank of Major, giving him the even more ridiculous address, Major Major Major Major. Shunned most of his life, Major eventually finds an anonymous sort of acceptance playing basketball with the other soldiers, where his tall, lanky frame proves advantageous, and where his resemblance to Henry Fonda is less of an issue.

This camaraderie ends, however, when...