"This was, Finian was sure, the first time that these men had ever been told by a white man that a big and important decision was entirely their own and would be followed by the white man."
In this context, Finian just gave a speech and looked at the men gathered before him which were Burmese people. Finian arrived in Burma as a preacher and his purpose was to spread Christianity. He did not look at the Burmese people as being inferior to him but rather tried to see them as equals. Finian tried to treat everyone with the respect he thought they deserved and this shocked many people who heard him speak. For them, seeing a white person giving them the possibility to have power an influence was something unimaginable. Finian reminded them every person on this planet should be equal and how, in front of God, no man is better than the other. Hearing Finian say this gave the men power and the change they experienced was almost immediate.
Nothing. It's a good idea. But you are the wrong person to be permitted to do it.
Deong tries to argue his reasons for not allowing Jhon to set up the farm the two of them dreamed of building. Deong claims Jhon is the right person because he is American and the natives would praise America for serving them. For Deong, a communist, this was unacceptable because it meant the people would be more wary about communism. For this reason, Deong was willing to sacrifice the happiness and wellbeing of his people, just to make sure the political party he endorsed would emerge victoriously.
“I know the bastard now. He drives a big red convertible that he slews around corners and over sidewalks."
Here, Miss Jyoti describes an American she used to know. From the way she talks about him, it is clear Miss Jyoti did not enjoy his company or his personality. It appears Joe, the man described, use to see the natives as inferior and treated them as such. Joe behaved as if everyone was beneath him and this made him hated by everyone who knew him personally. This proud attitude can be found in almost character who identifies as being American and this description is used to explain why so many natives were reluctant to accept the Americans in their country.
