Chapters XI and XII Summary

Chapter XI begins with Stoner's acknowledgment that his campaign to keep Walker out of the graduate program had failed. Lomax and the dean had managed to engineer away around usual university policies and allow Walker to continue his studies. Admitting defeat, Stoner tries to appeal to Lomax, hoping to make their relationship, if not friendly or cordial, at least professional; even the students, Stoner points out, are noticing the tension. Lomax is relentless, however, and suggests that Stoner's prejudice against Walker stemmed from Walker's disability. Stoner soon realizes that his status among the students has changed as a result of the conflict, polarizing their reactions either to fierce loyalty or scared avoidance.

Life for Stoner has become dull and unhappy. His classes are boring and unfulfilling, by Lomax's design; his daughter's schedule is such that he is...