As I’m reading this book, I’ve noticed a couple of infuriating times where Barbara falsely equates herself to a war hero or in some way pats herself on the back for “surviving” a day in the life of something she willingly chose to do in contrast to the people who are all but forced to live in these conditions. I’ve compiled a list of quotes again to best voice my frustrations.

1. “‘Hardly anyone comes back after the first day.’ I feel powerfully vindicated -a survivor- but it would take a long time, probably months, before I could hope to be accepted into this sorority” (31).
   • First off, I strongly dislike how she refers to her coworkers as a “sorority”. What they do to make ends meet has nothing in common with the privilege inherently associated with any college sorority. I am also against how making it a single of day working in a diner in any way makes Barbara a “survivor”.
2. “In real life I am moderately brave, but plenty of brave people shed their courage in POW camps, and maybe something similar goes on in the infinitely more congenial milieu of the low-wage American workplace” (41).
   • I shouldn’t even have to say this, but no. The experience of a PRISONER OF WAR has very little in common with Barbara’s situation. It is an incredibly different set of circumstances, especially for Barbara, who again, willing chose to do this.
3. “Much of what happens next is lost in the fog of war” (47).
   • I think this is a totally rational opinion, but Barbara’s experience is very much removed from anything to do with war. I find her continuous analogy between her experiences and  those of war incredibly off-putting.