SLPAD - 48

[Michael Bailey]

Lieutenant Pierce, who by the way is sitting alone at an empty table - the
loneliness of command - has just made first Lieutenant and is “trying hard
not to feel his power.”

So the drama with the fork and the “slob” nomenclature are probably his
attempt to come down off his high horse to an extent.

Levine’s again clowning - “ Lieutenant,” Levine said, “you were young once.
I got this broad in N’Orleans, she’s waiting for me. Give youth its day.”

If Pierce just made first lieutenant, one doubts he would be much older
than Levine, if at all.


“There was an implicit and mutual recognition of worth between them
whenever things like this cropped up. Outwardly neither had any use for the
other; but each had the vague sense that they were more alike than either
would care to admit, brothers, possibly, under the skin”

We have an omniscient narrator, it seems.

Or what’s that one where the narrator speaks through the character? - this
might be the opposite of that, with Levine speaking through the narrator
with his version of what he thinks Pierce is thinking.

Or this could be a moment of reflection apropos of the theme of
“interpersonal recognition of human qualities is somewhat independent of
stance taken w/r/t authority, viz acceptance thereof vs rebellion
thereagainst”

Whilst not appreciative of Levine’s attempts at humor, Pierce does
understand and acknowledge them.

Whilst acting oblivious to Pierce’s authority, Levine does obey.



Pierce has suggested Officer Candidate School for Levine, on the basis of
Levine’s evident abilities.

“Highest IO in the damn battalion”

IO probably not a typo of “IQ” but army abbreviation for “information
office”?

https://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/magazine/issues/2016/AUG-DEC/pdf/8)Clark_IO_TXT.pdf