The Plastic Age

"The Plastic Age" by Percy Marks is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story captures the journey of Hugh Carver, a young and naive freshman at Sanford College as he navigates the ups and downs of college life, including friendships, academic pressures, and romantic entanglements. As Hugh adjusts to his new environment, he experiences the vitality and challenges of youth in a vibrant college setting filled with varied characters and social dynamics. At the start of the story, Hugh Carver arrives at Sanford College, excited and apprehensive about beginning this new chapter in his life. He reflects on his journey and meets his roommate, Carl Peters, whose charismatic and bold personality starkly contrasts with Hugh's more reserved nature. Through their interactions, readers gain insight into the competitive and sometimes daunting landscape of college life, with upperclassman dynamics and the pressure to fit in. The opening sets the stage for themes of self-discovery, peer relationships, and the complexities of growing up, as Hugh grapples with his identity and path forward in this bustling collegiate environment.