Part One, Chapter Two Summary and Analysis

After Arnold starts to win weight-lifting trophies, re receives attention and his ego receives a big boost. Some are puzzled by his choice of sport. To Arnold the satisfaction in bodybuilding comes from the discipline, individualism and integrity of the sport. There are some girls who are impressed but others have a negative attitude. Onenamed Herta, refuses to date him saying he's narcissitic. Arnold is too busy to date. There is easily-available sex at the parties thrown by the older men at the gym. His parents, feeling his emotional distance say he has no feelings. His mother is antagonistic towards the sport, and his father is concerned that he will not be able to make a decent living as a bodybuilder. Arnold believes the Austrian mentality about bodybuilding hinders his development, but he has to...