The Body: Chapter 33 Summary & Analysis

Vern dies in a housefire likely ignited by someone’s stray cigarette when he’s 18 years old. Teddy’s poor vision and hearing keep him out of the Army. He dies in 1971 or 1972 after driving his car into a utility pole in an intoxicated haze.

Chris enrolls in the academically rigorous classes with Gordie, much to the chagrin of his parents (who think he’s putting on airs), the teachers (who dislike his reputation), and most of his friends (who declare him a “pussy” for caring about school). He must work incredibly hard to make up for blowing off his elementary education, but he sticks to it. He graduates from high school, goes to college, and starts law school. But in his second year, he tries to break up a fight at a fast-food joint and one of the belligerents fatally stabs him. When Gordie reads about it in the newspaper, he weeps, but in private.