How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
I was glad to see that An Linh was all right. It was what it was getting to be: hoping that what you liked, what you had seen before, remained whole.
I didn't have anything to give An Linh, so I gave her a dollar. I knew there wasn't much she could do with it in the boonies, but I gave it to her anyway. As I left she followed me with her eyes, and I wonder what she saw. (14.127-128)
Perry's gift of a dollar to An Linh a dollar is more symbolic than practical, but it still has value to them both. Perry saves his money carefully to send what he can to his family, so a dollar isn't nothing to him. An Linh can't exactly use an American dollar in Vietnam, but she gets that the gift is more making a connection than making a profit. Moments of humanity in wartime are one of those precious things money can't buy.
Quote #8
I won thirty dollars in the football pool. I had Green Bay and a point total of forty-eight, which was closer than anybody else. I sent the money to Mama. (15.84)
Perry can't even keep his betting winnings. Family first—that's his motto. At least he gets the pride of predicting the football win.
Quote #9
I got a letter from Kenny, too. He said he had a part-time job working at Kelly's Drugs on the corner of Lenox and 118th Street. For some reason I felt so proud of him, that he would do that. I just hoped Mama was letting him keep all the money he made. (17.144)
Here's yet another example of how Perry wants a better life for his brother than what he has. He sends all his money home, but he wants Kenny to be able to keep his earnings. Now that's generosity.