How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
He was the kind of man everyone felt safer being around. If he'd been wearing a velvet robe and crown, he'd be the very image of a great king; if he were in a doctor's jacket, you'd trust your life to him; if he were in a carpenter's smock, you'd know he'd build you the finest house imaginable. But I preferred him in his blue captain's jacket with the four gold stripes on the sleeve and his cap encircled with thick gold cord. (1.69)
Do you remember how you felt about your dad when you were little? Did he seem bigger than life, like he could do just about anything? Sometimes when we are kids our parents can seem like superheroes—like they can do nothing wrong. In Matt's case, he has transferred these feelings that he used to have for his dad and placed them firmly on the shoulders of Captain Walken. He might project the image of capability, but we think maybe the perfection aspect of it all might be a bad case of heroworshipitis.
Quote #2
Hands tousling my hair, clapping me on the back, voices saying "Well done," and me trying not to smile but smiling and laughing anyway because it felt so good to know I'd brought the gondola in, saved the pilot, and impressed everyone. All these men who had known my father. They would have called him Mr. Cruse too. (1.147)
Really? You just did all of those incredible things, and what you chose to take away from this moment of triumph is that they're calling you the same name as your father? Dude, we think maybe it's time to take a little credit for yourself. It's one thing to know that you would've made your father proud and revel in it, but it's another thing to have it be the only accomplishment in life.
Quote #3
It was strange the way I felt about him: connected was the only word I could conjure up. I'd spotted his balloon out there in the night sky, and I'd swung onto his gondola and found him lying crumpled on the deck, looking so broken and helpless. Maybe it was also because he looked a little like an older version of my father - but that might just have been imaginings on my part. (1.165)
Ever miss someone so much that you think you see their face everywhere you go, even if you know they couldn't possibly really be there? Matt definitely has this going on. We're pretty sure he sees his father in just about every old guy he meets. You've got Daddy on the brain, Matt—but at least you are admitting that to yourself.