Part 1: What Do You Care What Other People Think? Summary and Analysis

At thirteen, Richard is friends with a group of older boys. He starts becoming interested in girls and begins dating. Richard meets Arlene, the prettiest and most popular girl in their group. Arlene seems just out of reach—she is always dancing with another boy or going steady with someone else. But finally Arlene comes around and the couple falls in love. Richard excels in High School and wins many awards.

In his formative years Richard becomes an atheist. Raised Jewish, Richard's parents see to it that he goes to Temple and receives proper instruction from the Rabbi at Sunday School. Richard has a scientific mind and takes everything literally, learning from a baby on to question what appears to be finite. When he...