Chapter 4 Summary

The following evening Ray returns to Japhy's small house. Alvah Goldbook and Warren Coughlin accompany Ray. Warren, like Japhy, is from Oregon. Ray brings a large amount of wine with him, and the four men spend the evening getting drunk and talking about poetry. Ray senses that Japhy would rather be studying poetry. Eventually, the three visitors leave Japhy's house and walk home, arm-in-arm, singing drunken songs.

Chapter 4 Analysis

This short chapter continues to develop the friendship between Ray and Japhy. Ray is obviously interested in Japhy as a friend, and Japhy seems to see in Ray a potential companion and friend.