How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Why," he said, referring to a man with whom he had had a misunderstanding, "dat mug scrapped like a damn dago. Dat's right. He was dead easy. See? He tau't he was a scrapper. But he foun' out diff'ent! Hully gee." (4.4)
This quote is interesting on the heels of Quote #6, where Jimmie beats up a Chinese man. Here, Jimmie uses the word "dago," a derogatory term for Italian. Jimmie is proud of himself for putting this guy in his place, highlighting how important national identity was back then.
Quote #8
As a final effort, the singer rendered some verses which described a vision of Britain being annihilated by America, and Ireland bursting her bonds. A carefully prepared crisis was reached in the last line of the last verse, where the singer threw out her arms and cried, "The star-spangled banner." (7.16)
People don't immigrate for no reason, and here we're given a subtle clue about the reason so many people have left Ireland for the Bowery: Life's not easy over there, but violent in its own rights. Otherwise Ireland wouldn't be described as held in "bonds."
Quote #9
The door of the Johnson home opened and Maggie looked out. Jimmie made a supreme cursing effort and hurled his mother into the room. He quickly followed and closed the door. The Rum Alley tenement swore disappointedly and retired. (9.27)
Oh, Mom, you're such a maniacal bully. Someone's always getting pushed in or out of the doorway at that Johnson apartment—so much so that it's entertainment for the neighbors.