Chapter 7 Summary

The debate is being held in the auditorium, and as the students begin to enter, Luke, Barney, and Gordon discuss their views on the topic, "Is Individual Freedom Getting out of Hand?" Luke explains that his mother is a near-warden, and thus, the word freedom does not apply to his life. Gordon agrees that his parents are also strict about their rules but Barney explains that his parents trust him, and are not constantly checking on his use of his freedoms. Gordon notes that Barney is a walking advertisement for freedom, since he is nearly unrestrained but still maintains his grades, is editor of the paper, and is never in trouble. Luke playfully bounces a book off Kate's head, and she laughingly retaliates.

Matthew Griswold, the debater from the Citizen's League for the Preservation of American Values, is watching the students as they...