How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
People who had hardly noticed his resemblance to Henry Fonda before now never ceased discussing it, and there were even those who hinted sinisterly that Major Major had been elevated to squadron commander because he resembled Henry Fonda. Captain Black, who had aspired to the position himself, maintained that Major Major really was Henry Fonda but too chickenshit to admit it. (9.36)
Ironically, Major Major's resemblance to actor Henry Fonda – which could have been a blessing in other circumstances – becomes a burden to him when people begin mixing his identity up with the actor's. After his promotion, his peers suggest his similarity to the actor caused his promotion. The kicker is that Major Major cannot help his resemblance to Henry Fonda.
Quote #5
Major Major grew despondent as he watched simple communications swell prodigiously into huge manuscripts. No matter how many times he signed on, it always came back for still another signature, and he began to despair of ever being free of any of them. One day – it was the day after the C.I.D. man's first visit – Major Major signed Washington Irving's name to one of the documents instead of his own, just to see how it would feel. He liked it. He liked it so much that for the rest of that afternoon he did the same with all the official documents […].
He had sinned, and it was good, for none of the documents to which he had signed Washington Irving's name ever came back! Here, at last, was progress, and Major Major threw himself into his new career with uninhibited gusto. Signing Washington Irving's name to official documents was not much of a career, perhaps, but it was less monotonous than signing "Major Major Major." (9.55-56)
By hanging his name to Washington Irving, Major Major assumes a new identity – on paper at least. His own life and identity have not brought him any luck, and he welcomes change. Unlike his own name, Washington Irving's brings progress (less paperwork) and a good deal more excitement to Major Major's life.
Quote #6
His paramount concern throughout the entire assault was to keep his dark glasses and false mustache in place so that he might continue pretending he was somebody else and be spared the dreaded necessity of having to confront them with his authority. (9.119)
Major Major's need for a false identity is so strong that he keeps on his affects while being attacked. He lacks the confidence needed to fight off these oppressors.