How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"My valve did close quite violently this afternoon when Mr. Gonzalez asked me to add a column of figures for him. When he saw the state into which I was thrown by the request, he thoughtfully added the figures himself. I tried not to make a scene, but my valve got the better of me." (4.200)
The valve protects Ignatius from work, so it's less a valve than a shield. If he didn't have indigestion, he would have to invent it.
Quote #5
"Then too, if I were a Negro, I would not be pressured by my mother to find a good job, for no good jobs would be available." (5.186)
Ignatius is fantasizing here about how great it would be to be black and not be able to work. In reality, of course, black people in the early 1960s in the South were often much poorer than even a not-very-well-off white guy like Ignatius might want to think about. For example, Mrs. Reilly owns a house, but black people were often prevented from getting bank loans; as a result, they had great trouble owning homes.
Ignatius only finds the idea of being black and poor appealing because he doesn't actually have to think about what he's talking about. It's a pretty unsavory daydream.
Quote #6
"There was a happy hush in the factory, most of the workers eager for the change of pace." (6.94)
Ignatius spreads inertia wherever he goes, even when he doesn't want to. In fact, we are going to take a nap now. So long…
Oh, right, the factory. Well, here Ignatius thinks he's encouraging the workers to revolt, but in fact, they're just happy to have a chance to take a few minutes off.
And now we are going back to sleep.