Thinking of his father, he defies even the coach's remark that he is too puny to play. Jerry must overcome his own sense of powerlessness, and the sickness that overtakes his body after being buffeted from all sides. Emotionally and physically, although he may appear weak, Jerry has inner resources of steel that he discovers when he is, literally and figuratively, down for the count and up against the ropes like a fighter.

Later in the novel, when Jerry continues to ignore Brother Leon's command to sell chocolate, Jerry is told that he has 'guts' again. He experiences the profound realization that his nonconformist stance has empowered other boys, who hated the domination of the school authorities and the Vigils whose abuses the brothers tolerate because they enforce the administration's will and discipline. "I never thought of saying no. Just like you did," marvels an older boy. (125) "We have...
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