How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Whenever I looked at rebels during raids, I got angrier, because they looked like the rebels who played cards in the ruins of the village where I had lost my family. So when the lieutenant gave orders, I shot as many as I could, but I didn't feel better. (14.6)
Clearly, the manipulation to kill is for the army's benefit, not Ishmael's.
Quote #8
"Our job is a serious one and we have the most capable soldiers, who will do anything to defend this country. We are not like the rebels, those riff-raffs who kill people for no reason. We kill them for the good and betterment of this country. So respect all these men"— he pointed to us again—"for offering their services." The lieutenant went on and on with his speech, which was a combination of instilling in the civilians that what we were doing was right and boosting the morale of his men, including us, the boys. I stood there holding my gun and felt special because I was part of something that took me seriously and I was not running from anyone anymore. I had my gun now, and as the corporal always said, "This gun is your source of power in these times. It will protect you and provide you all you need, if you know how to use it well." (14.11)
Another motivational speech from Lieutenant Jabati. He's made these kids feel like part of something special… something special that he totally and utterly controls. He calls them "men." He's always emphasizing how their gun gives them power—sadly, a pretty effective statement for boys who feel helpless and afraid. Without their families, the boys need someone to make them feel important and grownup, even a murderer like Jabati.
Quote #9
A lot of things were done with no reason or explanation. Sometimes we were asked to leave for war in the middle of a movie. We would come back hours later after killing many people and continue the movie as if we had just returned from intermission. We were always either at the front lines, watching a war movie, or doing drugs. There was no time to be alone or to think. When we conversed with each other, we talked only about the war movies and how impressed we were with the way either the lieutenant, the corporal, or one of us had killed someone. It was as if nothing else existed outside our reality. (14.12)
No time to think sounds like a good way to keep soldiers in line. Ishmael also remembers how often they were just asked to follow instructions without any explanation. Why would they ask for reasons? They're just tools to be manipulated and used. Keeping the boys confused and off-balance makes them more easily controlled.