in page 80 of the novel the chosen where danny recounts part of a novel by hemingway. why would he be inclined to recall that part more than any other?

Danny is all over Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms". He recounts the part where Frederick Henry, the novel’s narrator, reflects on how he once didn’t save a bunch of ants on a log in a burning fire. Danny gives somberly points out how cruel people can be. It's difficult to say why he fixates on this passage. I think Danny really doesn't want to become the next tzaddik . He doesn't want the burden of saving people and like Fredrick and the ants, thinks he might very well chose to let people just burn. I know, kind of creepy!