Chapter 7, Foolish Crusade Summary and Analysis

At his grandmother's house, Pelzer feels as though he is stepping back in time, as her house remains immaculate and unchanged. He feels only intimidation upon facing his grandmother. She remains bossy towards Pelzer and hateful towards his brothers. Dave finally interrupts her tirade to defend Stan, citing the young man's mental handicap.

Looking around his grandmother's house, he finds no pictures of his mother. This reminds him of the lack of pictures of himself and his father in his mother's house.

Pelzer seeks for information about his mother's past from his grandmother. Grandmother has few nice things to say about her daughter. She tells Pelzer how his mother never worked as a nurse, though this is one thing about which his mother frequently brags. In addition, Grandmother confesses that, one year when Pelzer received a bike...