The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Society and Class Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Part.Section.Paragraph)

Quote #1

I shall tell you what occurred, and let you judge for yourself. The Roger Buttons held an enviable position, both social and financial, in ante-bellum Baltimore. They were related to the This Family and the That Family, which, as every Southerner knew, entitled them to membership in that enormous peerage which largely populated the Confederacy. (1.1.2)

Such an introduction sets us up for the big blow of Benjamin’s birth; we expect Roger Button to be the sort of man who wants nothing to do with a scandal.

Quote #2

"Here now!" cried Doctor Keene in a perfect passion of irritation," I'll ask you to go and see for yourself. Outrageous!" He snapped the last word out in almost one syllable, then he turned away muttering: "Do you imagine a case like this will help my professional reputation? One more would ruin me – ruin anybody." (1.1.15)

It’s part of the humor and irony of "Benjamin Button" that no one takes interest in the phenomenon of Benjamin’s aging because they’re so consumed with silly social standards.

Quote #3

But a frantic inspection of the boys' department revealed no suits to fit the new-born Button. He blamed the store, of course – in such cases it is the thing to blame the store. (1.2.10)

The narrator satirizes Mr. Button and the series of social interactions in which he participates.