Chapter 31, The Ant Trail Summary

Oskar envisions the trial as a blue-tiled swimming pool without any water in it. At Lucy's urging, all of the gang members except Oskar dive into the empty pool, one by one. Only Oskar refuses to take the leap to certain death. The authorities are convinced Oskar is a gullible simpleton, used by the gang members. He is released into Matzerath's custody. For weeks afterwards, Oskar searches the streets for a skinny teenaged girl with a triangular face, who is always betraying men. Even now, from his asylum bed, he is constantly wary of her. The Ministry of Health resumes its efforts to have Oskar committed. Matzerath ponders for days, and then finally signs the commitment papers. He mails them just as the battle over Danzig begins, so it is likely they never arrived. Mother Truczinski is...