"I was taken aback because I was merely a clerical officer. I ventured, 'Maybe we should send them some reconnoiter'. So they dispatched a squad led by the commander of the reconnaissance company to the mountain." (24)

Yu Yuan's unit was stuck in enemy territory during the Korean War, and because his officers had been struggling to decide a plan of action, they asked Yu.

Yu Yuan states that he was "Taken aback because I was merely a clerical officer." This shows how Yu is extremely humble by nature, and does not expect to be treated anymore than he should be, In addition, the officers don't just consider his suggestion, but they follow it. This shows how the officers trust Yu and his decisionmaking.

"That afternoon I was given an x-you to treat me" (47)

Yu Yuan, who hid his name upon entering into the POW camp, hid his ability to speak English. He suddenly reveals that he does not want to be treated after having an X-ray, showing that he had shrapnel in his thigh. The doctors and interpreters are surprised by his ability to speak English. They continue to argue with him, and he calls 2 Chinese people passing by, asking them to save him.

This quote tells us that Yu Yuan is very determined. It also tells us that the doctors feel they are doing the best for Yu, even though Yu is against the American doctors. Additionally, Yu retains his loyalty to China, representative by his resentment towards the people attempting to treat his infection. On top of this, Yu is very distrusting, recalling that the doctor treating himself called him only a "pseudo-doctor in training." Finally, this reasoning leads us to believe that Yu trusts his government, even though they have made nonsensical arguments and increasingly apparent neglects for their soldiers.

"Tomorrow we cam...Her words set my mind at rest" (52)

Yu Yuan meets a Chinese doctor who is a doctor for the Americans. Originally, he was refusing treatment, but gave in because he met Dr. Greene. They are able to treat him and he is able to walk again.

The quote describes Yuans perspective, and how he is now relieved that he could be able to walk again. He describes the doctors (in the room) and their actions just before his operation.

"From that day on...gnashing his teeth" (71)

Yu Yuan is transferred to a new POW camp, and meets a man named Bai Dajian. He discovers that they had went to the same school, Huangpu Military Academy. They meet and discuss their past events of the war and times from before their capture.

Yu Yuan and Bai Dajian both seem somewhat dejected, finding refuge in each other. They talk to each other about their brides and their shared experiences. They appear find comfort in their commonalities.

"Touched by his candor...FUCK COMMUNISM" (97)

Yu Yuan talks with a Chinese Chief on the side of the Americans who lures Yuan to have dinner with him. After Yuan falls asleep, he wakes up to find the words "FUCK COMMUNISM" tattooed on his stomach.

Yuan begins to trust Chief Wang, but eventually it is revealed that he was tricked. Chief Wang tried multiple times to convince Yuan to come back to America, but eventually decides to force Yuan to be unable to return to China by engraving the tattoo on his stomach.

"Spring in Korea...an untrammeled life" (101)

Yu Yuan recalls his time looking at the sky. He sees fishing boats and wishes that he had any other life aside from his current one, since he longs for a life without war.

Yuan appears very desperate and wants to start his life afresh. He says that he desires any other life aside from him, and shows his desperation through his observation of the fishing boats.

"Tell me, Brother...inspire others" (103)

A man named Han Shu calls of Bai Dajian, and makes a speech about the values of Communism. He highlights the fact that Communists disregard their men, and often treat their allies worse than their enemies.

Han Shu tries to make reason with the many POWs at the speech. He tries to compel the prisoners to join the Americans, and frames China as the enemy.

"After dinner...Commanding Officer." (107)

Yuan goes into a auditorium filled with POWs and the man presenting asks a Chinese POW in front of the audience "where will you go?". Instead of the POW in questioning answering with "America" as intended, he says he wants to return to China, and riles the audience even more.

The POWs find refuge in their unity. They have a collective desire to return back to China and therefore rally around it. Although not in this quote, many of the Chinese soldiers aren't even Communists, but join communist groups in order to increase their chances of going home and having allies to join with.

"Having gotten no response...guarantee our safety" (154-155)

Yuan joins a communism group and they plan a hunger strike to attempt to grab the attention of the General. The communists commune with the North Korean soldiers, who plan to hold General Bell hostage.

Yuan notes that the complaints made by the North Koreans were never visible, at least to him. Though he disregards the thought. He himself admitted that he wasn't a communist, but he wanted to join to gain credit, which he hopes will offset the presence of his tattoos.

"Oh, thank you...Good-bye now" (166)

Yuan is called in as a translator for negotiations with General Bell, who is now being held hostage. They discuss the "terms" of his release, and ask for fair treatment.

It seems apparent that the treatment in the POW camp is fair, but is exaggerated by the North Korean soldiers. Surprisingly, the General remains unfazed, and maintains civility in the negotiation.

"Chaolin had asharp tongue...from a puddle" (158-159)

Chaolin negotiates with General Bell and says that the POWs treatment is extremely far off. They agree to call off the hunger strike, in return for the terms agreed on.

The terms that were decided were regarding food and medical conditions. General Bell seems very reserved and somewhat confused at the POWs complaints. Yuan agrees (mentally), noting that some of Chaolins reasonings were lies.

"General Bell was...Hello, General" (166-167)

General Bell has been kidnapped, but is treated fairly. He recalls some of the negotiations discussed several days ago. He ends up agreeing once more, and the conversation ends.

General Bell notes that he is surprised at well he is treated in captivity, and is able to express this to over the phone to one of the American soldiers. After Yuan and the leader of the Communist group talk with General Bell again, Yuan is surprised that General Bell doesn't remember their faces. On top of this, he seems confused by the complaints and the reason for his capture, since he agreed originally to make the changes negotiated days prior.

"My, you're mending....up so soon" (229-230)

Yuan overhears a conversation between Commissioner Pei and a woman who meet in private. The woman attempts to convince Pei to come to America with her, but he refuses, since he's a communist and loyal to China.

A young woman wants to bring a woman back to America, trying to convince her. Although it is unknown why, since it is from Yuan's perspective. The meeting shows how there is a divide of ideals, even if the two individually like each other, or don't. Pei appears to be unmalleable, refusing to change his position on the matter. This is partially because of his men, who also want to return to China. On top of this, he would be considered a traitor, and would cause Pei to cut ties with everyone he knows.

"We all felt...accusation of cowardice" (235)

The POWs were ashamed of themselves since they all had became POWs, unlike their directions, which was to kill themselves. They were then told to attack two American officers, and since they feared being called cowards or traitors, they complied.

The Chinese POWs received an order on their national day, which was likely intentional, in order to motivate their men with nationalist ideals. They were instructed to attack two American guards, and eventually, the compound. Again, the higher ups are taking advantage of their peoples emotions in order to control the crowd. They use peoples fear of being called out for cowardice (either for not killing themselves or running a suicide mission), and force them to fight.

"More surprising was...in Compound 7" (242)

Yuan and the others whom participated in the prison breakout were given awards. Commissar Pei makes a speech regarding the dead soldiers, and salutes the 7th Battalion. Additionally, Yuan thinks that he was more dubious about business of the citations. He is surprised that Pei was able to grant this many awards at once, since every soldier was given a medal.

This quote shows how Pei wants to reward his men for going through with their attack. Since the POWs are eager for some event, they were motivated to attack the Americans. On top of this, Pei rewards the soldiers to somewhat justify the attack and satisfy the POWs, even if the gifts were not official, or were of little true value. More importantly, Yuan thinks about how he will be more careful about his job as a translator, since he doesn't want trouble with the communists or capitalists.

"Viewed from nearby...it was possible" (246)

Yuan daydreams about his life as a POW. he recalls gazing at towns, and admiring their food. He imagines that had he not been married to Julan, he may have moved to Korea and gotten engaged with a Korean girl. After he snaps out of his dream, he is surprised by his own thoughts.

Yuan begins to daydream and think about his life, and the life he could have had (which tends to happen throughout the book). He is surprised at himself for thinking such thoughts, but doesn't explicitly state why. This is likely because he feels lonely, and his loneliness and long for a free life could subconsciously lead to him (in a way) partially blaming his current life. At other points in the book, he and others discuss how they could've had normal lives if they went to America, or how they could've moved to Korea before the war, preventing their capture.