Chapters 11 - 15 Summary and Analysis

In chapter eleven, War 1976, Mum and Dad both join the police reserves. Dad has become one of the army guys, dressing in camouflage to go on patrol, tracking down terrorists and fighting rebels for ten day sat a time. The army issues rations called rat packs to the family. They contain candied peanuts, bubble gum, coffee, tea and canned beef.

Mum's uniform is a becoming grey dress with silver buttons and a peaked cap. She takes Bobo with her to the police station, in the third class or black part of town. Mum sits reading while Bobo amuses herself. Prisoners are kept in two tiny jail cells with fenced yards, like dog runs. Bobo stares at them as if they were animals in the zoo. When the black maid brings their tea and cookies, Bobo is concerned that one...