Part 2, Chapter 17 Summary

Eugene blossoms in the four years he is in the Leonards' school. He studies Greek and Latin and the literature from those cultures with Mr. Leonard. The curriculum is preparatory for a liberal education. He lives more at Dixieland now, and Eliza requires him to continue to work drumming up trade for the boarding house. At the end of the first year, Eliza refuses to pay the tuition for the school, so the Leonards agree to cut it in half and to allow Eugene to help by recruiting students.

Margaret Leonard becomes a second mother to Eugene, and he flourishes under her concern and care. He prefers to be at school rather than anywhere else.

Part 2, Chapter 17 Analysis

Eliza continually humiliates the children. When, at the end of the book, Eugene is nineteen and looking back at what has formed him...