How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
And then my eyes drifted up to the wounded soldier. There was a lot of blood coming through the bandages wrapped around his chest. Did TJ know whether or not he made it to the hospital alive? Was he alive now? Back in the States? Or back in a combat zone? (7.23)
Jamie wonders about the soldier in the photo and what his life is like now. The fact that she doesn't know troubles her because she wants there to be a happy ending to the story. Yet the life of a soldier isn't always so black and white—he might be home now, but that doesn't mean that he's okay.
Quote #8
"I figured you'd think this was the opportunity of a lifetime for me. An all-expenses-paid trip to Vietnam. Maybe round trip, maybe not. Go live the life of a real soldier." (10.24)
Hollister jokes around with Jamie when he gets word that he'll be shipping out to Vietnam soon. The whole time Jamie plays cards with Hollister, she's been thinking about the game. He, on the other hand, also has to wrestle with the idea that he might be heading off to war soon. It finally dawns on Jamie that a soldier's life is a dark and heavy one.
Quote #9
"You hear of men enlisting after their brothers have been killed in war, because they want to have a crack at the enemy. Revenge. I don't know if that's a good reason to enlist or not, but it makes for some pretty motivated soldiers." (13.11)
The Colonel's remarks highlight the fact that life is valued in the army: People sign up to avenge their friends' deaths, according to what he's experienced. At the same time, though, life isn't valued in the army: Soldiers are shipped off to war by the plane-full and many of them don't return.