How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Title.Paragraph)
Quote #10
"Look at that stretch of land right there, Matt," he said, sweeping his hand out in front of him. "Nice and flat, well drained, and a good stream besides. Make good growing land. I'd farm it for corn in a second."
The stretch of land he was talking about included Emmie Hubbard's property and a bit of my father's, as well as Loomis land. "Well, I think Emmie might have something to say about that. And my pa, too."
He shrugged. "A man can dream, can't he?" (26.abscission.9-11)
Royal seems to be the exception to the rule of dreams in A Northern Light. He never really feels guilty for pushing Emmie Hubbard off her land; he never really seems bothered by society or torn between duty and dream, probably because his dream aligns with his family's and society's expectations of him. Life is much harder when one's dreams are in conflict with others' expectations.
Quote #11
I'd already found myself a new place, one I'd never intended to find, but I was in it now all the same. It was a place for myself alone and one I couldn't tell Weaver about, no more than I could tell Miss Wilcox. It was in Royal Loomis's arms, this place, and I liked it there. Weaver would never understand that. Sometimes I barely did myself. (31.limicolous.31)
Mattie wants her own story more than anything else, but she has no idea how exactly her story should be written. We have to wonder, though, how can Mattie know she likes her place in the world if she doesn't understand why she's there? Is physical attraction enough to make up for Mattie's lost dreams?
Quote #12
Just then, I saw what Weaver would be, too. I saw him in a courtroom, thundering at the jury, commanding their eyes and ears, their hearts and souls and minds—on fire with the strength of his convictions, the passion of his words.
Weaver wasn't that man yet, he was only a boy, tall and lanky, scrubbing a greasy roasting pan. But he would be. Scrubbing was only for today for Weaver Smith, not for ever. (34.saltant.27-28)
Mattie's clearly not the only one with hopes and dreams; Weaver, too, wants more than what he has, and he feels the pressures of society and community to conform as a young black man. His dreams are tied to equality and justice, and he is much surer of his dreams than Mattie is, which makes the death of his dream of college that much more devastating. Unlike Mattie, he doesn't have an alternative way to cope with the loss.