How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Face it," Gary told her kindly. "You'll never catch up. You just do as much as you can and take the punishments without saying anything. Sometimes I wonder if that isn't what they're really trying to teach us—to take plenty and keep our mouths shut." (2.137)
From Gary's perspective, training for knighthood means pushing ahead and doing what you're supposed to do even when you're overwhelmed. It sounds like he's saying that knights sometimes have to approach situations where they know they'll fail, but try anyway. Man, the more we learn about knighthood, the happier we are to stay at home.
Quote #5
Alanna paced the room. "I can't do this…The pace will kill me." … "I never figured ye for a quitter," Coram interrupted softly. (2.141-142)
Coram knows how to hit Alanna where it hurts: her pride. She's usually the stubbornest thing around, so for him to call her out on giving up is a low blow. But Coram knows what he's doing: it turns out that Coram's right, and she's not a quitter at all, she just needed to throw a fit about how much she hates knighthood training before getting back into it.
Quote #6
"When you're little, like me, you either quit and get picked on all the time, or you stick it out. I have to stick it out." (3.65)
Alanna's approach to Ralon's bullying—stick it out—is brave and shows her persistence. It also condemns her to many a bruise and bloodied nose, so we just hope they've got good doctors in Tortall.