Chapter 24, How Oskar Took His Helplessness to Mrs. Greff Summary

Oskar dislikes Greff the greengrocer. Greff, a former scout leader, likes young people but prefers boys to girls. On Sundays in the winter, Greff bathes naked in the frozen Baltic with several muscular youths. Oskar is furious at Maria's betrayal and tries to force a miscarriage by knocking her off a ladder in her fifth month of pregnancy. Oskar is banished to Mother Truczinski's apartment. In June, Maria's son Kurt is born. Oskar's grandmother and Vincent Bronski, Jan's father, are invited to the baptism party. Oskar interprets this as a sign that Kurt is actually his son, although it is clear that Matzerath is certain that he is the father. After the feast, Oskar collapses at the feet of Lina, Greff's wife.

Chapter 24, How Oskar Took His Helplessness to Mrs. Greff Analysis