Disillusionment and Loss of Innocence

Hugh's college years shatter his naive beliefs about professors, fraternities, and himself, leading to a painful but necessary recognition of human imperfection and complexity.

Hugh is disillusioned by the sophomores' 'dirty' behavior and the humiliation of classmates like Wilkins and Billings, marking a loss of his naive view of college as a purely noble experience.

Hugh's growing dissatisfaction with Helen and the hollow post-game excitement reflect a broader disillusionment with college life.

Graham's frank talk about fraternity politics and Hugh's dawning realization that fraternities are not idealistic brotherhoods contribute to this theme.

Hugh feels uninspired by his instructors and finds the Prom atmosphere 'hectic' and confusing, signaling a growing disillusionment with aspects of college life.