Summary

Third person narration continues in Chapter 16 as Jende picks up Vince for a dental appointment. Vince tries to convince Jende that America is not as great of a nation as he assumes by telling him about the assassination of Patrice Lumumba. Jende responds that while he appreciates Vince’s efforts, his view of America is good for him. Vince tells Jende that he is leaving law school to move to India because he is looking for a more meaningful life. Jende does not understand his perspective, but sympathizes with Vince anyway. He encourages him to try and see his father in a softer light as he drops him off at his appointment. When he picks Vince up an hour later, he falls asleep from the anesthesia.

Chapter 17 begins with a description of the summer heat in New York, in which the city dwellers...