In this chapter, Gogol meets a new girl, Maxine, and basically falls in love with her and her way of living. She comes from an affluent family, and she and her parents live a laid-back, classy life. Gogol is attracted to this lifestyle, aware that his family could never be this way.
Maxine is a little like a foil to Gogol. She does whatever she wants, yet faithfully returns to her parents and respects them. On the other hand, Gogol had to do whatever his parents wanted when he was growing up, and so as soon as he reached college he tried to distance himself from his father and mother. Maxine is high class, interacting with her parents and their friends like an equal, discussing art, politics, movies, and many other subjects that Gogol never heard at his parents' parties. I believe her life seems to appeal to Gogol mostly because it's the life he wishes he has for himself. Through his interaction with her and her family, the audience sees Gogol's shame and embarassment with his family and background.
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