“Why did I want to mix mahself up in a white folk’s war? It ain’t ever was any of black folks’ affair.”

This quote reflects Jake’s rationale for deserting the military and is one of many moments when he becomes disillusioned with his idealized notions of life. This quote also underscores the irony of African-American soldiers’ attempts to fight abroad for democracy while lacking freedom at home. The segregated military is just one more example of the rottenness and hypocrisy of civilization.

“All alongshore for me now. No more fooling with the sea. Same old New York. Everybody dashing around like crazy […] Same old New York. But ofay faces am different from those across the pond. Sure they is. Stiffer. Tighter. Yes, they is that. But the sun does better over here than there.” 

One of the effects of travel abroad for Jake is his much broader perspective on race and America.Jake’s experience abroad is notable because it allowed him to engage socially with whites in ways that were less racially oppressive. Jake is nevertheless glad to return home because it connects him to other African Americans.

“Take me back to the Baltimore tonight. I ain’t gwine to know no peace till I lay these hands on mah tantalizing brown again.” 

From the moment Jake discovers Felice has returned his money to him, he becomes obsessed with finding her again. However, he doesn’t even know her name, a measure of how much his ideas about her represent an idealization of black womanhood.