Chapter 9, "The Imposition" Summary and Analysis

James recalls the ordination ceremony when he and his fellow candidates lie prostrate on the cold stone floor of St. Paul the Apostle Church. They are being ordained. The boys' choir alternates singing with the congregation in the ceremony. This is a dream come true for his mother. Countless Air Force chaplains attend in full dress because James is a general's son. Cardinal Cooke asks candidates to promise to obey and respect him and his successors as he enfolds their hands. James remembers these Cardinals endorse war. He thinks if B-52s were to drop condoms instead of napalm, they would condemn war to obey papal teaching on birth control. James' silence continues except for his poems.

The author flashes back to his recent experience with Allen Tate in Tennessee. During the preceding summer, he...