The Manchurian Candidate Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 2 Summary

Chapter 2 Summary

In a flashback to the Korean War, Ed Mavole and Bobby Lembeck visit a brothel, and have a chat while they wait for their commanding officer to finish up. They gossip about Raymond Shaw, remarking how he's not interested in sex at all, and marvel at the fact that Lembeck had to come all the way to Korea to lose his virginity. Back on patrol, Shaw passes the time with Captain Marco, the closest thing to a friend he's ever had. A full account of Raymond's features reveals him to be unapproachable, inhumanly distant to the other soldiers, and nearly devoid of emotional expression. He is universally disliked by his company, with the sole exception of Captain Marco.

On a reconnaissance mission, the company is betrayed by Chunjin, their Korean interpreter and guide. The soldiers awaken in Tunghwa, in a Chinese military installation, surrounded by Chinese scientists and Russian military...
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