Roast beef, mashed potatoes, and carrots symbolize the futility and failure of American efforts in the Vietnam War. In the first four months of Perry’s tour of duty, the soldiers of his battalion find themselves being served roast beef, mashed potatoes, and carrots on repeat. At first, the meal seems like a treat—a trio of comfort foods reminiscent of home. In much the same way, Perry and the other soldiers initially feel sure that the war will be over, and they will be going home soon. But as the war drags on, the only thing that seems to change from one patrol to the next is who lives and who dies. The treat becomes a disappointing reminder of how little real effect the soldiers seem to have on the outcome of the war, and a grim reminder of how they must accept their orders and the circumstances in Vietnam without dissent or complaint.
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The timeline below shows where the symbol Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, and Carrots appears in Fallen Angels. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 4
Perry and Peewee eat the night’s dinner— roast beef , mashed potatoes, and carrots—outside, under a tree, while bugs crawl up their legs. Simpson...
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Chapter 5
...they’d need to make those, since the camp already has so many explosives. They eat roast beef , mashed potatoes, and carrots for the second time in a week. They re-re-watch the...
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At breakfast, Peewee asks for more roast beef . Overhearing him, Brunner begins to harass the cook about it; the cook spits in...
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Chapter 9
...they get back to the camp, they find out that the mess hall is serving roast beef , mashed potatoes, and carrots again. The soldiers nearly mutiny. Captain Stewart gets Alpha Company...
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Chapter 13
...Perry writes to Kenny, warning him to be careful. On Christmas Day, the soldiers eat roast beef , mashed potatoes, and carrots yet again.
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