Princeton Stories

"Princeton Stories" by Jesse Lynch Williams is a set of stories that show what life was like for students at Princeton University in the old days. The stories are funny and talk about how students got along, what they did for fun, and the problems they faced. The stories focus heavily on school pride, being young and excited, and how students interacted with each other. One story, "The Winning of the Cane," shows how competitive and lively the school was. It's all about the Cane Spree, where new and sophomore students fight to win a cane to represent their class. One of the main characters, Hill, is a big but gentle freshman who unexpectedly finds himself in the middle of the competition. The story shows how Hill's personality helps him stand out as he takes on the more skilled sophomores, teaching us about who we are, fitting in, and the stress of college.