Army Quote by James Jones
““I like it too," Angelo said. "I love this country. Much you and anybody, and you know it." "I know it," Prew said. "But I still hate this country. You love the Army. But I dont love the Army. This country's Army is why I hate this country. What did this country ever do for me? Gimme a right to vote for men I cant elect? You can have it. Gimme a right to work at a job I hate? You can have that too. Then tell I'm a Citizen of the greatest richest country on earth, if I dont believe it look at Park Avenue. Carnival prizes. All carnival prizes. [..] They shouldnt teach their immigrants' kids all about democracy unless they mean to let them have a little bit of it, it ony makes for trouble. Me and the United States is dissociating our alliance as of right now, until the United States can find time to read its own textbooks a little." Prew thought, a little sickly, of the little book, The Man Without A Country that his mother used to read to him so often, and how the stern patriotic judge condemned the man to live on a warship where no one could ever mention home to him the rest of his whole life, and how he had always felt that pinpoint of pleased righteous anger at seeing the traitor get what he deserved.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Man Without a Country by James Jones, 1955
A speaker expresses deep disillusionment with their nation, criticizing perceived hypocrisy and unfulfilled promises of freedom and opportunity.
In simple terms: Disillusion with with country and its promises
Question national loyalty and personal freedom
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political protest
- personal reflection
- immigration debate
- citizenship crisis
- social critique
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to be a citizen when you feel betrayed?
- How can societies address the gap between ideals and lived reality?
The speaker’s anger may overlook systemic complexities and collective benefits.