How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Will it really be mind—this mountain? Daddy says it will one day.
He loved the mountain, its long, lingering dawns. But he frowned, squinting off at the hills with night still huddled in their folds.
Now it won't ever be mine. (1.8-10)
M.C.'s showing how conflicted he is about the mountain, which, on one hand, he hopes will be his one day because he loves it, while on the other hand he recognizes that this dream is seriously jeopardized. We know, of course, that it has to do with how dangerous the mountain is from the rest of the book. But at this point in the novel, that author is already setting M.C. up as realistic — definitely not happy-to-go-lucky. He's not one to hide his head in the sand, so to speak.
Quote #2
The idea had come to him after he heard about the Dude. Two days ago, greeting the sunrise, there it began in his mind, growing and growing with each new ray of light.
Dude going to make Mama a star singer like Sister Baby on the radio, M.C. thought. We'll have to travel with her—won't that be something? But Mama is better than Sister Baby. He'll make her the best anybody ever heard. (1.21-22)
M.C.'s just coming up with the big plan he has for getting off the mountain. The Dude—James K. Lewis, as we later find out—will record Banina and turn her into a star. We know, of course, that this hope never pans out, but at this point, it sounds like M.C.'s really onto something. The sunrise inspires him and the idea grows as the rays grow… it's the perfect way for an idea to come into being. No wonder M.C.'s so into his plan.
Quote #3
He had nightmares in which the heap came tumbling down. Over and over again, it buried his family on the side of the mountain.
But his dreams hadn't come true. The spoil heap didn't fall. Slowly his nightmares had ceased and his fear faded within. But then something would remind him, like the chance to get off the mountainside with the Dude's coming. Like Ben's father acting the fool. M.C. would get edgy in a second. (1.100-101)
There are dreams that make you feel all sparkly inside, and then there are nightmares so powerful they haunt you even in daylight. In M.C.'s case, his nightmares actually spur his hopes and plans. They are what make him face reality and want to leave Sarah's Mountain despite his love for the place.