Chapter 11 Summary and Analysis

During her second year of college, Florence is still appalled by the idea of marriage, and she is the only member of her sorority who does not take the popular Preparation for Marriage course. Her favorite course is Medieval Portraits: Literature as History which is taught by Dr. Newton, the campus heartthrob. When they discuss Griselda, Florence wonders how such a meek woman could represent the Middle Ages when the Virgin Mary was the leading symbol of power. That summer, Florence dates Lloyd, a stuttering man whose proposal Granny is eager for her to accept. Lloyd's personality seems very similar to Preston Hunt, Mama's first beau. After ending her relationship with Lloyd, Florence chooses History as her major and stops dating out of fear she will become so warped she will marry anyone. El is engaged when she returns to school...