How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"I've got a mean disposition. Attempted assassinations make me mad." (8.46)
The Op gets sore at Noonan when he realizes that Noonan was trying to get him killed. Why does the Op need to act so tough? Is it all an act, or does he think it's necessary to be "mean" if he wants to take on the big guys?
Quote #2
"I'd seen you maul him around. […] He's in love with you, and this isn't the first time you've done it. He acted like he had learned there was no use matching muscle with you. But you can't expect him to enjoy having another man see you slap his face."
"I used to think I understood men," she complained, "but, by God! I don't. They're lunatics, all of them."
"So I poked him to give him back some of his self-respect. You know, treated him as I would man instead of a down-and-outer who could be slapped around by girls." (10.72)
This conversation takes place between the Op and Dinah. Dinah likes to push Dan around, and sometimes even slaps him when she's angry. In the macho world of Personville, a man can't just sit there and let another man witness his woman beating him up. So the Op explains that he had punched Dan to give him his self-respect back. Why is beating people up equated with self-respect? What's up with that?
Quote #3
"Plans are all right sometimes," I said. "And sometimes just stirring things up is all right—if you're tough enough to survive, and keep your eyes open so you'll see what you want when it comes to the top." (10.91)
The Op is trying to stir up trouble, see what happens when he gets people all riled up. He's definitely tough enough to take on whatever trouble he causes, but is his masculine aggression an asset or a flaw? Shmoop amongst yourselves.