Chapters 16-20 Summary and Analysis

Frank winds up with the mumps, probably a result of his time spent in the refugee camp. Taken to a military hospital, Frank is pleased when a cart is rolled through with books and he chooses Crime and Punishment, hoping to finish it. Reading it reminds him that he stole the money to get to America from his former employer, Mrs. Finucane and that she had been planning to leave it to the church. Trying to get his mind off things Frank remembers the girl in the refugee camp and masturbates. Afterward Frank thinks that the only way he will get into heaven is to be hit by a truck and have a moment to say the perfect Act of Contrition. Frank thinks he might be the perfect Catholic if he could speak to God directly instead of through...