Part 2, Chapter 22 Summary

At fourteen, Eugene takes a paper route under Ben's supervision. He hates the impersonality of life at the boarding house and resents helping his mother. The retiring carrier of his route, Jennings Ware, teaches him how to get paid regularly. The route is Niggertown, and collecting the pay is difficult. However, Jennings tells him he can "take it out in trade" with some of the women. Eugene is more successful than most of the previous carriers on this route at getting his subscription fees because he persistently harasses and hunts them down until they pay. He is praised for his success at the paper office. He tries to "take it out in trade" with a yellow-skinned customer but is so revolted that he backs out at the last minute.

Part 2, Chapter 22 Analysis

This is Eugene's first attempt at sex, and he...