Perry showed determination and perseverance in his attempts to escape the poverty and limitation of segregation by pursuing alternate paths: when school wouldn’t work, he joined the army and tried for a sports career. Finding himself in Vietnam thus represents a further roadblock of sorts, but also shows his commitment to his quietly heroic attempts to escape these limitations. Likewise, despite his fears, he uncomplainingly does what he's asked in Vietnam. Simpson’s anger at his daydreaming and the careful way the soldiers place their feet (to avoid landmines, although Perry doesn’t yet realize this) both suggest again that what Perry believes about the assignment being easy or safe is untrue. Indeed, nobody has warned Perry or the other new soldiers about landmines.