How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Title.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"I don't want no part of baby word games," Lou grumbled.
"Any, Lou. Any part," I snapped. Her carelessness with words made me angrier than her dirty mouth and the filthy state of her coveralls and the manure she'd tracked in, combined. (2.fractious.57-58)
It's pretty clear where Mattie's values lie: with language. Here we see her place importance on how others judge someone by the way that person communicates, an idea that we'll see again with her siblings and with Weaver. Of much less importance is Lou's physical appearance. Clearly Mattie values a person's mind and words over their physical characteristics… well, most of the time (ahem, Royal Loomis).
Quote #2
"You ought to use your words, not collect them. You ought to write with them. That's what they're for," Weaver said. (3.abecedarian.60)
Weaver falls into a different camp than Mattie; while she likes to horde her words because they are so precious to her, he takes a much more utilitarian view. Words are meant to be used. And we have to wonder which view Mattie aligns herself with as she leaves Eagle Bay.
Quote #3
"You sure have a big mouth, Weaver Smith," Minnie scolded. "Look what you did. You should say you're sorry."
"I'm not sorry. It's true."
"Lots of things are true. Doesn't mean you can go round saying them," Minnie said. (3.abecedarian.85-97)
Weaver accuses Mattie of giving up her dream because of the promise she made to her mother, and Mattie, torn up about the internal conflict, begins to cry. Take a close look at the conversation here: Minnie is the voice of conventional society, telling Weaver that the truth is less important than how a person feels. But Weaver… Weaver, like usual, is staunch in his conviction to speak honestly about Mattie's situation.