How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Nothing needs reforming," he said by way of beginning, "so much as other people's habits." The audience roared in recognition of a universal truth. (56.3)
No matter how you feel about Mark Twain, the guy knows how to tell a joke. We get the sense that he's playing with the audience here. While he's pretending to be chit-chatting in a light-hearted way, he's actually berating the audience for living in the past. Embrace change, people.
Quote #5
"Be aware. There are forces at work here that would like nothing better than to take away your freedoms, your right to live life the way you have always lived it here. I warn you to do what you must to make sure that does not happen. Gentlemen, be alert. And acquit these three innocent men." (122.17)
Lewis's warning about change to the jury comes out like a threat. He wants the jury to find his clients not guilty not because they are innocent, but because they shouldn't let things change in their community. His tactic works, too. Maybe it's racism, or maybe it's about fear of the unknown, but the jury eats every word up.
Quote #6
"But bad as it was," Abraham went on, "that's when things begun to change. A big change at the first, then they took it back. But what happened in that courtroom…that'll change it. You just wait. You'll live to see it." (127.10)
Back during the Civil War, plenty of people died over big issues like slavery and ownership. Even though it was a dark time in American history, it also helped pave the way for change. Abraham remembers blood everywhere, and then slowly but surely, attitudes shifted and rules changed.