Discern: to see, hear, or notice (something) with difficulty or effort

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discern

“Mr.Self studied the streetscape carefully, eager to discern the exact point when it turned from a black and Hispanic neighborhood to an Orthodox Jewish one.”

The quote above uses the word, Discern to explain how Mr.Self is trying hard to listen to his new surroundings.

Yarmulke: a skullcap worn especially by Orthodox and Conservative Jewish males in the synagogue and the home

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yarmulke

“eager to discern the exact point when it turned from a black and Hispanic neighborhood to an Orthodox Jewish one, and was delighted when he spotted a guy in a Yarmulke talking to two coffee-colored men.” From a Literary Visitor Strolls in From the Airport by Charles McGrath

The following quote uses the word to explain the religion of the man through what he was wearing. Which creates an image for the reader to visualize while reading this passage.

Noun: a group of soldiers that includes two or more squads usually led by one lieutenant.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platoon?show=0&t=1387069026

The platoon was preparing to move out, checking weapons, going through all the little rituals that preceded a day’s march.

I understand that the author is referring to the soldiers as a platoon.

Noun:polite, moral, and honest behavior and attitudes that show respect for other people.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decency

You want decency.

The author is saying in war you want to show respect for others and be a good person.

Noun:a type of green plant that has very small leaves and no flowers and that grows on rocks, bark, or wet ground.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moss?show=0&t=1387068375

I remembered  the smell of moss.

The author is saying it smells like a green plant.

Carousing: a large draft of liquor

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carousing

“But Mr.Self’s has been clean for eight years or so, and some of the energy he used to expend on carousing now goes into epic hikes, sometimes as long as 100 miles.” from A Literary Visitor Strolls in From the Airport by Charles McGrath

I now understand the carousing used in the following quote because Will Self has found another way to keep his mind off drinking.

Noun:  a nonwhite or non-American person; specifically : Asian

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gook

Rat says, all that gore, about twenty zillion dead gook fish.

I understand Rat is using the word gook to refer to a nonwhite or non-American person.

Diatribe: an angry and usually long speech or piece of writing that strongly criticizes someone or something

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diatribe?show=0&t=1386997887

“Will Self’s new novel, “The Book of Dave” is about a London cabdriver who inadvertently founds a religion when ranting diatribe he buries in the garden of his ex-wife.” from A Literary Visitor Strolls in From the Airport by Charles Mcgrath

In Will Self’s novel a piece of writing of a creator of a self created religion was dug up five centuries after the creator and the diatribe explains the components of the religion.

Aspire: to want to have or achieve something (such as a particular career or level of success)

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspire

“Many writers aspire to be Ralph Ellison.” from Fort Greene by Nelson George

I understand the meaning of this word now, when Nelson George discusses how writers like Ralph Ellison, become role models for younger writers.