Chapter 23 "Nately's Old Man" Summary

Nately's obsession with a prostitute leads them to an Italian brothel, where he is tormented by an old man's disparaging comments about America. Though Nately tries to rebut, he succeeds only in spouting clichys. Nately is shocked to learn that this is the same, old man who injured Major de Coverley, by poking the esteemed officer in the eye with an American Beauty rose.

Chapter 23 "Nately's Old Man" Analysis

Nately's patriotic naivety is no match for the old man's refined pragmatism. By attacking the young man's patriotism, by insisting that America will one day share the ruinous fate of all empires, the old man is exposing Nately to his own mortality. Nately doesn't want to believe that he might die for his country, only to have his country one day perish, as well. America is...