Prince of Tides

Tom resumes the story of his past. In 1962, he arrives at South Carolina University, the first member of his family to enroll in college. Savannah’s departure for New York has been delayed by her parents, who want to keep her in Colleton till she “had her head on straight” (520). Luke has begun working as a shrimper. Henry gives him two acres on the island, on which Luke will build a house. Yet Tom’s elation at being in college is quelled by the memory of the rape. During pre-season football training, he wonders if people can tell he is a boy who has been raped. He is wary of being naked in the locker room, as he fears his body might still bear bruises that will give him away.

The coach quashes Tom’s dreams of being a quarterback in the first week of training, assigning him to play defense. Yet Tom loses himself in the sport, even though the prospect of being tackled triggers his trauma. Tom feels his big-city college mates look down upon him until his roommate, the son of a millionaire, becomes friends with Tom. However, Tom is still unable to get into a fraternity. He goes to the local phone booth to tell his parents the sad news and meets a girl out on the same errand, having been rejected by sororities.