How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"These goddamn assignments," Archie said. "Do you think it's easy? His voice dripped sadness. "And the black box." (2.36)
Even though Archie seems like the guy with the most power at Trinity, he is little more free to make his own choices than his fellows. If he doesn't keep coming up with assignments, his whole charade will fall apart. He's so busy with this task, other areas of his life, like romance and schoolwork, are neglected.
Quote #2
"For crying out loud, Archie. You saw him out there. He's just a skinny kid trying to make the Freshman team. Coach'll grind him up like hamburger. And his mother's barely cold in the grave. (2.57)
Here we see Obie in a rare, sensitive moment. He wants Archie to choose not to select Jerry for assignments, citing the recent death of Jerry's mother. But, Archie isn't swayed by such sentimentality.
Quote #3
They laughed. Hey, what's going on here, Jerry wondered, even as he laughed with them. (6.27)
Nobody really thinks Brother Leon's torture of Gregory Bailey is funny. They are manipulated into laughing by Brother Leon's acting skills. Jerry is trying to figure out why he and the others chose to go along with it.