Importance of Duck Egg

The prisoners are starving and duck eggs are sometimes used by the Japanese as payment to the prisoners. For example, Jack Rainbow is “paid” two duck eggs for painting post cards for the Japanese officers. He later trades one to Darky for a paintbrush Darky steals from the Japanese. Rooster believes Darky stole an egg from him and this prompts Rooster to remain quiet when Darky is blamed for the shortage of workers on the line. When Rooster finds the egg, he is ashamed of his lack of action.