The great concern of the bildungsroman is the young man's education and how it changes him: "Thus began the time of my education. Miles Rayfield taught me the secrets of drawing. Bobby Bolden taught me about music. And Eden Santana taught me about everything else." As in Hamill's other works, the main lesson which must be learned is to take part in the human attempt to overcome the barriers which separate one human or group from others. These barriers are most apparent when they appear as divisions between race, religion, and ethnicity, made most apparent here as Michael learns about Southern culture—Hank Williams' death a few days after he arrives on base opens up a new world of popular art and feeling—and most importantly, about black people, as he becomes the only white boy to enter.....
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