Chapter 5

Chapter 5 (Past 1979)

first day of summer holiday, Larry anticipates going to high school in fall and hopes to not being bullied there anymore
starts mowing the lawn, reflects on the time he had spent with Silas in spring (chasing and capturing snakes)
Larry visits Silas at the cabin in the woods after he is done mowing the lawn, watches Silas practicing baseball
they both watch Cindy Walker sunbathing
incident: Carl and Cecil (father of Cindy) try to take off her towel when she comes outside after having taken a shower
Silas intervenes, telling them to stop but running away when they come after him
Larry just watches and hides, goes back to search for Silas who started to play baseball again
in the night, Carl asks Larry for the rifle that he had borrowed, Larry denies having it, is bullied into admitting that he gave it to Silas
Larry‘s mother interrupts, asking Carl how long Alice and Silas will be allowed to stay in the cabin
Carl storms out
later on, Larry‘s mother is praying to God for Larry to find "a special friend" (p. 101) as always, not aware that Larry had already found that one in his mind
next day, Larry visits Silas again, realizes that Carl has followed him
Carl - drunk - wants to get his rifle back from Silas
wants Silas and Larry to fight over the rifle, both initially refuse, but are bullied in doing so by Carl
Larry stammers again (a habit that he had actually grown out of) and begs Silas to let him go
Carl cheers Silas on who continues to hold Larry down
Larry calls Silas a "nigger" (p. 106) due to his frustration
Silas lets him go, gets the rifle and Larry notices the same anger in Silas‘ eyes as he saw in the black girl‘s at school
Silas flees and "Larry was left alone, on the ground, in the weeds, with his father" (p. 107)

Function

portrayal of the confrontation between Silas and Larry
$\rightarrow$ Silas does not resent the fight but the use of the word "nigger" which triggers the end of their friendship
$\rightarrow$ Larry was bullied into the fight, but the word was solely his choice, regrets it instantly
$\rightarrow$ word has serious consequences
chapter features one of the most overt developments in issue of racism
events that happen here will be of much greater and more horrific relevance when another aspect of the relationship between Larry and Silas is revealed
other important elements: appearance of snake, Larry mowing the lawn, references to Cindy and her stepfather Cecil, Silas‘ confrontation of Cecil and Carl, Ina‘s anger about Alice and Silas living in the cabin
Ina‘s prayer for a friend for Larry: prayer is referred to several times throughout the novel and will be answered in unexpected way