How we cite our quotes: (Part.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Miss Keegan said that it was not really Christmas if you were not in your own house in Ireland, and she was going to be sad all day. (2.184)
This is a frightening thought. If Miss Keegan, who's been in America for some time, still can't fully shake her nostalgia for her home, then what hope does Eilis have? As it turns out, the trick is to make new memories that hold as much meaning as the old ones—like helping out Father Flood at the parish Christmas party.
Quote #5
Eilis read the letter a few times and [...] she could hear Jack's voice in the words he wrote, she could feel him in the room with her. (3.787)
Although Eilis can ignore her memories when she's caught up in the hustle-and-bustle of Brooklyn life, her family's letters bring them all back in full force. This can be overwhelming for Eilis, and ends up causing her a great deal of emotional anguish.
Quote #6
It was as though Rose's death had happened long ago, and her night with Tony remained with her as something powerful, still present. (3.827)
Now this is what we were talking about when we suggested that Eilis should create new memories. Although Eilis is never quite sure if she made the right decision by doing the hanky-panky with Tony, it does comfort her on some level because it shows that life continues, even in the face of tragedy.