How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Johnson outlined the problem. "Me, Peewee, Perry, and Monaco is the n*****s of this outfit," he said. "We got to keep a serious watch on our asses."
I believed him. Monaco was Italian, but he was the same as the black guys in Dongan's eyes. Maybe because he got along with us so well, I don't know. (17.92-93)
Looks like Dongan's prejudice extends beyond black people. Italian Americans also faced prejudice in the 1960s. That, plus being friends with the black members of the platoon, might as well add up to a death sentence, they worry.
Quote #8
"You guys think we're going to have a race problem over here?" Lobel asked.
"Not as long as everybody over here got them a gun," Peewee said.
Lobel stood up. "Well, just in case we do," he said. "I want you to know you got the Jew on your side." (17.111-113)
Dongan didn't invite Lobel for a beer because he thought he might be gay. But whether he is or not, the reason that Lobel identifies with the black men in his platoon is his Jewish heritage. When it comes to the white members of his platoon, that makes Lobel feel more like an outsider than part of the group, so he buddies up with the other outsiders. At least they've got each other.
Quote #9
"What the f*** does that mean?" Peewee asked. "We get a Cong, we supposed to kill his ass twice?"
"No, monkey face, it means that we're supposed to kill as many of these g***s as we can," Brunner said.
"You going to 'monkey face' your way right to Arlington Cemetery," Peewee said. (17.138-140)
Brunner's always said racist things, but do you think he would have called Peewee "monkey face" earlier in the book? Now that they have a possibly racist commander (Dongan), Brunner seems to be getting worse. Don't encourage him.