New Worries Summary and Analysis

The chapter begins with Temple's parents arranging for her to go to summer camp. The mother emphasizes many physical activities and because of these and because many kids go to summer camp, Temple partly wants to go but dreads the newness of the many experiences. Temple is shy to meet the new staff once they arrive. While she is changing, a boy mentions that Temple has no boobs. This is a new word for Temple, and she repeats it constantly. Finally, Nan, the camp counselor, tells her it's not appropriate. Temple cannot stop herself, however. A girl suggests she asks a boy to see his "peter," which Temple does, and horrifies the kids again. Other sexual words obsess Temple, and she repeats them constantly. Temple gets a urinary infection at the camp and is uncomfortably probed and swabbed. Her...