The Great Santini Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 31 Summary

Chapter 31 Summary

News of the rape spreads quickly, and the town is hungry for retribution. A manhunt is in progress at the beach, and the Ku Klux Klan is planning a march down River Street. In the Meechams' kitchen, Arrabelle Smalls worries that black people won't be safe in Ravenel until the white men have gotten their revenge. Sammy receives two death threats before eight the next morning, and his family sends him to New York to finish his senior year for his own safety. He leaves before Ben can speak to him. For the first time, a friend has left Ben before he could move away. Sammy leaves him a note, telling him to remember Bohemian Mountain Approach, and signs it Rock Troy. Ben consoles himself by hanging out with Toomer.

That evening, Toomer goes in to town with his wagon. Red Pettus harasses Toomer, and other angry white men join...
(read more)