Chapter 6 Summary

Other doctors in the 4077th often discuss the men of the Swamp. Duke is friendly, and Trapper is the best doctor, but they are divided about Hawkeye. The man who hates him most is Captain Frank Burns, whom Hawkeye persecutes. They are the lead surgeons on opposing shifts; Frank is a rich son of a well-known doctor in a miedum-sized Indiana town, who is himself well-paid; Hawkeye has had a much more difficult time. He finds Frank empty-headed and fake. However, Burns thinks Hawkeye is uncouth and disrespects his technical skill.

When Hawkeye and Frank interact, Hawkeye often insults him. In response, Frank tattles on him to Blake. The author notes that when a patient dies, he either says it is God's will or someone else's fault, never taking responsibility. When he blames Boone for a patient's death, Duke takes him outside and...