Summary

Chapter 14 marks the beginning of Section II, which takes place in Venice Beach, California. The narrative perspective shifts to 16-year-old Stanley’s point of view. The opening scene takes place on a boardwalk, where Stanley has set up a card game to con passersby. Stanley has gone by several different aliases in the past, but he is currently answering to Stanley. “Most of his names have come from a book in his jacket’s inner pocket, a book of poems that he has read many times and now knows by heart” (88). The narrative presents the boy as being simple minded and unconcerned with his surroundings.

When Chapter 15 begins, the sun has set on the boardwalk. Stanley is still dealing his card game and taking small bets from people who stop to play. Claudio, Stanley’s boyfriend, approaches Stanley’s table and places a...