How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
The guy at the door wouldn't like it if he knew about his having five cards. (18)
The protagonist is deliberately ignoring the rules, but this is simply a reflection of his desperate need to win the game.
Quote #2
He and only he could determine whether or not it was to be his. Not even the man with the microphone could do anything about it now. (44)
The protagonist has suddenly made up his own rules and his own world within the bingo hall, a world consisting of only him and the spinning wheel.
Quote #3
"Anybody can win the jackpot as long as they get the lucky number, right?"
"That's the rule, but after all…" (61-62)
In a way, the protagonist is actually staying within the rules. Here the bingo caller wants to gently suggest that it is against the rules to hang on to the button, but it seems as though he can't.
Quote #4
His spine tingled. He felt a certain power. (65)
The protagonist feels empowered now because he controls the rules of the game.
Quote #5
And seeing the man bow his head to someone he could not see, he felt very, very happy; he would receive what all the winners received. (86)
Unfortunately, this is false. What might this suggest about the bingo game? On a symbolic level, we suggest that this is representative of the black condition in America – even seemingly victorious situations may not be all they appear.