How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"I know what you mean. And there are plenty of people who die through abuse of wine." (5.6)
Even though this sentence comes at the end of Pilon's comical justification for keeping the wine for himself, it's also an example of foreshadowing. The idea that someone will die from the abuse of wine gets implanted into our brains, and since we're talking about Danny, we get an inkling that he's in danger. And guess what? That's pretty much how it's all going to go down.
Quote #5
They drank the quart of grappa, and there was just enough to promote the sweetness of comradeship. (6.27)
Grappa is a sort of liquor made from grapes, so the friends are having a real treat, a break from their usual wine. This moment occurs just after Danny has forgiven his friends for burning down his house, so we can see the social function of alcohol in the novel (it brings people together). By sharing his drink with his friends, Danny shows his generosity. Also, the fact that these dudes are all drinking together shows that they're comrades.
Quote #6
Before he had finished his first glass, Big Joe's eyes had refastened themselves on the jug. He drank three glasses before he consented to say a word, and before the wolfishness went out of his eyes. (11.9)
Wowser: Big Joe is a real boozehound. This is one of the first descriptions we get of the actual addiction to alcohol that pervades the novel. Whereas before it had all been fun and games, now we're seeing that Big Joe can't even react until he's had three glasses of wine (that's a lot), and that he's already thinking about the next drink before he finishes his first one. We're getting toward the tragic end of the novel, and this warns us that things may not turn out very well for the friends.