scussion. When he arrives home and
             greetings are exchanged, he realizes immediately that
             he has nothing to say to his mother. " We say very little
             and I am thankful that she asks nothing" (Ch. 7 P.141).
             The fact that he does not wish to speak with his parents
             shows Baumer's movement away from the traditional
             institution of the family. His mother finally speaks to
             him and asks, " was it very bad out there, Paul?" (Ch.7
             P. 143) However, Baumer cannot respond to his
             mother's question: he understands
             ...