How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Well you’re a big bunny," Ruth remarks.
This little line is significant. It’s Rabbit and Ruth’s first meeting. Right away she acknowledges that he is his name, and in so doing, that she gets him. It says she identifies with him. (Warning folks, this does not work with all names and nicknames.)
Quote #5
"Who looks at coaches? They don’t do any good do they?" [says Ruth].
"Don’t do any good? A high-school team is all coach; isn’t it?" [says Rabbit].
Tothero answers, "It’s all boy, Harry. You can’t make gold out of lead." (2.101-103)
Though Rabbit seems to dig his own burrows, and to not rely on other members of Team Bunny to help him, he also wants an authority figure to help him decide what to do. And that, you see, is part of what he is running from.
Quote #6
For the damnedest thing about the minister was that, before, Rabbit at least had the idea he was acting wrong but now he’s got the idea he’s Jesus Christ out to save the world just by doing whatever comes into his head. (7.24)
The Jesus stuff, Ruth got straight from the bunny’s lips, but that’s beside the point. Her concern over Rabbit’s lack of autonomy is consistent with her identity as an atheist, in contrast to Rabbit’s. She thinks Rabbit is a follower, and Eccles a leader. Her sense of positive identity lies in being neither.