How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
He slammed his blade into the ground, then dumped out another shovelful of dirt. It was a little surprising, he thought, that X-Ray was the leader of the group, since he obviously wasn't the biggest or the toughest. In fact, except for Zero, X-Ray was the smallest. Armpit was the biggest. Zigzag may have been taller than Armpit, but that was only because of his neck. Yet Armpit, and all the others, seemed to be willing to do whatever X-Ray asked of them.
As Stanley dug up another shovelful of dirt, it occurred to him that Armpit wasn't the biggest. He, the Caveman, was bigger. (11.16-17)
Like the bully at Stanley's school, X-Ray is not a physically powerful person, but he is still the unchallenged leader of D tent. What is the source of his power? What is it about him that makes him the leader? What would happen if the other boys revolted?
Quote #5
[The Warden] gently shook the canteen, letting the water swish inside the plastic container. "Do you hear the empty spaces?" she asked.
"Yes," said Mr. Pendanski.
"Then fill it," she said. "And the next time I tell you to do something, I expect you to do it without questioning my authority. If it's too much trouble for you to fill a canteen, I'll give you a shovel." (14.39-41)
The scary, scary Warden is the most powerful person at Camp Green Lake. Did we mention she's scary? Anyway, her power allows her not only to tell other people what to do, but also to completely control the conversation. Just imagine someone shushing you all the time and you'll know what we mean.
Quote #6
Stanley put [the letter] in the big pocket of his pants.
"Aren't you going to read it to us?" asked Armpit.
"Give him some space," said X-Ray. "If Caveman doesn't want to read it to us, he doesn't have to. It's probably from his girlfriend."
Stanley smiled. (16.26-29)
This exchange conveniently takes place right after Stanley gives the lipstick tube to X-Ray, securing the bully a day off from digging; X-Ray is clearly feeling generous toward Stanley. Just as the Warden gives the boys more water when she thinks they're close to finding something valuable, X-ray uses his power to reward and encourage the people who do what he wants. Sneaky or brilliant? Or both?