How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
The idea of a bookstore is so comforting to me, Lois. I have this vision of me working behind the counter and you taking care of the baby in the back. Better yet, you work at the counter and I'll take care of the baby. Have you considered Karen as a name if it's a girl? It's your mother's name, and I like it. (11.11)
For Carroll, going to his happy place meant the polar opposite environment of a battlefield: a bookstore. He had planned a future that was all comfort and family, partly to get away from his present.
Quote #8
People were not supposed to be made like that. People were not supposed to be twisted bone and tubes that popped out at crazy kid's-toy angles. People were supposed to be sitting and talking and doing. Yes, doing. (18.84)
Know what's the opposite of doing? Observing. Perry is seeing horrific things, but they might just have given him more appreciation for his life. Maybe he'll go after his dreams when he leaves the army after all.
Quote #9
I wished I had a wife and kids. I mean I really wished I had a wife and kids, somebody somewhere that loved me in a way I could look forward to going back to the World to. (20.61)
Part of Perry's problem is when he looks at the future, he comes up blank. He has no idea what he'll do for a job after the army, and he has no idea how changed he'll be from the war. He's also a little lonely, don't you think?