The Art of Racing in the Rain Chapters 31-35 Quotes
The Art of Racing in the Rain Chapters 31-35 Quotes
How we cite the quotes:
(Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote 1
Denny looked at me and held his hands out in front of himself. They were shaking. Denny didn't say anything, but he looked at his hands trembling and then he looked at me and I knew what he was thinking. He was thinking that if he just had a steering wheel to hold onto, his hands wouldn't shake. If he had a steering wheel to hold onto, everything would be alright. (31.80)
We think a steering wheel is Denny's solution to a security blanket, mostly because it represents a sense of control over his direction and destination. Who could blame the guy for wanting a little bit of control in a situation like this?
Quote 2
"No," Denny replied, and then, aware of his abruptness, attempted to explain. "I don't feel like company right now." (35.9)
Sometimes loneliness can be inflicted upon us, and sometimes we inflict it on ourselves, even if it's the last thing we want at the moment. Denny seems to use his self-imposed loneliness to think through things, to come to grips with his reality, and to form a plan for moving forward.
Quote 3
I followed him into the kitchen, for a moment concerned that he had lied to Mike and Tony and that perhaps we did have a gas oven after all. But he didn't go to the oven, he went to the cupboard and took out a glass. Then he reached into where he kept the liquor and took out a bottle. He poured a drink. It was absurd. Depressed, stresses, hands shaking, and now he was going to get himself drunk? I couldn't stand for it. I barked sharply at him. (35.27-8)
This is the first time we see Denny actually hit rock bottom and resort to something drastic as a sign of his grief. Really, who could blame him? He's lost his wife, he's embroiled in a custody battle for his daughter, and now he's just had a rape charge slapped on him. It's a lot to deal with. Even so, Enzo's right. It's too much of a pathetic cliché for us, too.