World War II acts, according to Gene’s narration, as a slowly encircling monolith, threatening to smother the youthfulness of the boys at the Devon School. At sixteen, Gene and his classmates are too young for the draft and voluntary enlistment. But for the class above them, military training has become part of the curriculum. At the beginning of the novel, most physical activity at the school is geared toward preparation for boot camp. As the novel continues, the military impinges further. There is a recruitment presence on campus. Not only are military personnel and recruitment presentations on campus, but the attitudes of the faculty also urge the students to enlist and serve. The headmaster of the Winter Session preaches about military duty and the valorization of servicemen.

Additionally, a depletion of resources occurs “for the Duration.” The food in the cafeteria becomes cheaper, and the maid service is discontinued. The faculty conditions the boys to consider these sacrifices to be a contribution to the war effort.

Ironically, the Summer Session, a first in the school’s history, came into being as a site to train future recruits. However, for Gene and his class, the Summer Session is dominated by the military far less than the rest of the school year.