How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Even if we should get home, you know very well you can't be. You weren't born into a samurai family. You were born a fisherman's son and you will be a fisherman, and any sons you have, they also will be fishermen. That is the way it is; that is the way it has always been; that is the way it will always be." (1.2.33)
Even Goemon doesn't believe that Manjiro can become a samurai. Every one of Manjiro's friends is a traditionalist, all into the strict divisions between classes in Japan. That makes Manjiro more alone, but also more unique among the guys.
Quote #2
"If you were a real samurai, you would commit seppuku now, rather than wait to be humiliated by the barbarians," Goemon said.
"Maybe they won't humiliate us," Manjiro said hopefully.
At this, Goemon simply grunted. (2.3.45-47)
Goemon's looking down on the "barbarian" rescuers because they ask the boys to sit on benches instead of sitting cross-legged. It's really a potato, potahto kind of issue, though, when we get down to it: Every culture has their own norms.
Quote #3
And it was like a village, they thought, as they were swept on board the John Howland and through a series of small rooms, like tiny houses, each one more ornately decorated than the last.
"Only someone very important could own rooms like these," Goemon whispered.
"A lord."
"A daimyo."
"Maybe even a shogun!" Manjiro gasped. (2.3.32-36)
The guys are pointing out something that's true even on the supposedly classless, equitable American ship: There's still an implicit difference in class, as the guys notice through the different levels of decoration in the rooms. As you might expect, the stateliest, most well-appointed room on the boat is Captain Whitfield's.