Chapter 6, The Dog, Part 5 Summary

Ernie's "madness" stems from his permanent separation from his family. He wishes to to spit in God's face. Ernie takes it upon himself to study the dog. He changes his name to Bastard, grows a mustache that gives him the look of a poodle, and rather than walking with the meek and humble Jewish shuffle, he springs about with a vigor and friskiness that is more alien to a Polish Jew than wings on a mouse. Three months after he morphs into a dog, he meets M. Mario, who, seeing the scar on his wrist, identifies with him because he shares that same mark. Ernie attempts to both please his new friend and stay true to his new canine nature. The friends of M. Mario believe that he is being silly when he runs around on all...