How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Part.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I shall tell you what occurred, and let you judge for yourself. (1.1.1)
The narrator of "Benjamin Button" asks his readers to make a judgment on this story; we are meant to consider and comment, not just passively listen.
Quote #2
Mr. Button's eyes followed her pointing finger, and this is what he saw. Wrapped in a voluminous white blanket, and partly crammed into one of the cribs, there sat an old man apparently about 70 years of age. His sparse hair was almost white, and from his chin dripped a long smoke-coloured beard, which waved absurdly back and forth, fanned by the breeze coming in at the window. He looked up at Mr. Button with dim, faded eyes in which lurked a puzzled question. (1.1.36)
The narrative tone maintains a sense of humor about Benjamin’s curious case.
Quote #3
"See here," the old man announced suddenly, "if you think I'm going to walk home in this blanket, you're entirely mistaken."
"Babies always have blankets."
With a malicious crackle the old man held up a small white swaddling garment. "Look!" he quavered. "This is what they had ready for me."
"Babies always wear those," said the nurse primly. (1.58-61)
The people around Benjamin have a strong sense of the way things are supposed to be; they struggle to maintain these proper standards to an absurd degree.