Part 2, Chapter 25 Summary

Midsummer, war is declared in Europe. Eugene follows it feverishly in the newspapers, and Margaret Leonard gives him books about war to read. Ben wants to go to Canada and enlist, so he goes to Dr. Coker for a physical to find out if he would be accepted. The doctor gives him an ambiguous answer and tells him he should wait until this country becomes a part of the conflict. Ben goes out feeling that he is not well and that the doctor has not told him the truth.

Part 2, Chapter 25 Analysis

This is the first indication we have that Ben is not well. It foreshadows his death in Chapter thirty-six.