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Sergeant Zim (The Sergeant)
Johnnie’s Father runs a successful family business that’s been passed down for generations because the family hasn’t bothered with Federal Service. He dotes on his son and gives Johnnie expensive presents, like a helicopter for his birthday or a vacation on Mars for his graduation. But he is also somewhat domineering and believes that his plans for his son are best, so he refuses to speak to Johnnie after he volunteers. Later, he reveals that his silence was also motivated by his own sense of internal dissatisfaction that he himself had not volunteered despite his strong conviction that it was the right thing to do. After the Bugs attack Buenos Aires, he can no longer justify his continued inaction; in part to avenge the death of Johnnie’s Mother, but mostly to fulfil his sense of civic duty and to prove that he’s a man, not just a piece of the economic machine, he enlists in Federal Service and joins the M.I. After the attack on Sheol decimates his first platoon, he’s reassigned to Rasczak’s Roughnecks just as Johnnie detaches for Officer Training School. When Johnnie, now an officer, inherits the command of his old unit from Jelly, Mr. Rico has become the Roughnecks’ platoon sergeant.
Johnnie’s Father (Mr. Rico) Quotes in Starship Troopers
The Starship Troopers quotes below are all either spoken by Johnnie’s Father (Mr. Rico) or refer to Johnnie’s Father (Mr. Rico) . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 2
Quotes
“Son, don’t think I don’t sympathize with you; I do. But look at the real facts. If there were a war, I’d be the first to cheer you on—and to put the business on a war footing. But there isn’t, and praise God there never will be again. We’ve outgrown wars. This planet is now peaceful and happy and we enjoy good enough relations with other planets. So what is this so-called ‘Federal Service’? Parasitism, pure and simple. A functionless organ, utterly obsolete, living on the taxpayers. A decidedly expensive way for inferior people who otherwise would be unemployed to live at public expense for a term of years, then give themselves airs for the rest of their lives. Is that what you want to do?”
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Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 12
Quotes
“Son, do you know about civilians?”
“Well…we don’t talk the same language. I know that.”
“Clearly enough put. Do you remember Madame Ruitman? I was on a few days leave after I finished Basic and I went home. I saw some of our friends, said goodby —she among them. She chattered away and said, ‘So you’re really going out? Well, if you reach Faraway, you really must look up my dear friends the Regatos.’
“I told her, as gently as I could, that it seemed unlikely since the Arachnids had occupied Faraway.
“It didn’t phase her in the least. She said, ‘Oh, that’s all right—they’re civilians!’” Father smiled cynically.
Chapter 14
Quotes
“Another Bug hunt, boys. This one is a little different, as you know. Since they still hold prisoners of ours, we can’t use a nova bomb on Klendathu—so this time we go down, stand on it, hold it, take it away from them. The boat won’t be down to retrieve us; instead it’ll fetch more ammo and rations. If you’re taken prisoner, keep your chin up and follow the rules—because you’ve got the whole outfit behind you, you’ve got the whole Federation behind you; we’ll come and get you. […]
“Don’t forget that we’ll have help all around us, lots of help above us. All we have to worry about is our one little piece, just the way we rehearsed it.
“One last thing. I had a letter from Captain Jelal just before we left. He says that his new legs work fine. But he also told me to tell you that he’s got you in mind … and he expects your names to shine!
“And so do I. Five minutes for the Padre.”
I felt myself beginning to shake.
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Johnnie’s Father (Mr. Rico) Quotes in Starship Troopers
The Starship Troopers quotes below are all either spoken by Johnnie’s Father (Mr. Rico) or refer to Johnnie’s Father (Mr. Rico) . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 2
Quotes
“Son, don’t think I don’t sympathize with you; I do. But look at the real facts. If there were a war, I’d be the first to cheer you on—and to put the business on a war footing. But there isn’t, and praise God there never will be again. We’ve outgrown wars. This planet is now peaceful and happy and we enjoy good enough relations with other planets. So what is this so-called ‘Federal Service’? Parasitism, pure and simple. A functionless organ, utterly obsolete, living on the taxpayers. A decidedly expensive way for inferior people who otherwise would be unemployed to live at public expense for a term of years, then give themselves airs for the rest of their lives. Is that what you want to do?”
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 12
Quotes
“Son, do you know about civilians?”
“Well…we don’t talk the same language. I know that.”
“Clearly enough put. Do you remember Madame Ruitman? I was on a few days leave after I finished Basic and I went home. I saw some of our friends, said goodby —she among them. She chattered away and said, ‘So you’re really going out? Well, if you reach Faraway, you really must look up my dear friends the Regatos.’
“I told her, as gently as I could, that it seemed unlikely since the Arachnids had occupied Faraway.
“It didn’t phase her in the least. She said, ‘Oh, that’s all right—they’re civilians!’” Father smiled cynically.
Chapter 14
Quotes
“Another Bug hunt, boys. This one is a little different, as you know. Since they still hold prisoners of ours, we can’t use a nova bomb on Klendathu—so this time we go down, stand on it, hold it, take it away from them. The boat won’t be down to retrieve us; instead it’ll fetch more ammo and rations. If you’re taken prisoner, keep your chin up and follow the rules—because you’ve got the whole outfit behind you, you’ve got the whole Federation behind you; we’ll come and get you. […]
“Don’t forget that we’ll have help all around us, lots of help above us. All we have to worry about is our one little piece, just the way we rehearsed it.
“One last thing. I had a letter from Captain Jelal just before we left. He says that his new legs work fine. But he also told me to tell you that he’s got you in mind … and he expects your names to shine!
“And so do I. Five minutes for the Padre.”
I felt myself beginning to shake.
