Chapters 2 and 3 Summary

Chapter 2 - Some months after his encounter with the Tripod, Laurie's science teacher ("Wild Bill" Hockey) engages him in a classroom conversation about the Tripods that, much to Laurie's embarrassment, suggests that he is something of a hero. The conversation also reveals that there were two other Tripod landings that day, one in Russia (which resulted in the Tripod being destroyed) and one in America (in which the Tripod self-destructed). Hockey comments on how foolish and backwards the Tripods seem, saying at one point "It looks as though they don't even have infrared." As the other students laugh, Laurie remains quiet (see "Quotes", p. 16). After school, Laurie returns home, and in narration describes his home life with his generally quiet Pa (see "Quotes", p. 21), his Swiss stepmother Ilse and half-sister Angela (adored by Pa and resented by Laurie), and his bossy...