How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Not a cry or a groan escaped from Sister Mary Joseph Praise while in the throes of her cataclysmic labor. (P.7)
As a nun, we can expect that Sister Mary Joseph Praise is pretty much in control of her emotions and actions. But it's pretty incredible that she never even makes a peep when she's suffering what will end up being her doom. The novel makes her seem almost superhuman.
Quote #2
We come unbidden into this life, and if we are lucky we find a purpose beyond starvation, misery, and early death which, lest we forget, is the common lot. (P.14)
Okay, we don't need to ask Abraham Verghese whether the glass is half full or half empty; we think we know what he's going to say. This pessimistic view of life focuses on the fact that for the majority of humans, health and basic necessities are difficult to come by.
Quote #3
The black-and-red floating packet of misery that called itself a ship steamed across the Indian Ocean toward its destination, Aden. […] The ship wasn't meant to carry passengers, but the Greek captain did just that by housing 'paying guests.'" (1.1.8)
Whoa. Calm yourself, Verghese. What did that ship ever do to you? Marion comes in strong with a metaphor comparing the ship that carried his parents (before they were his parents) to Africa from India to a "floating packet of misery." Then he quickly links that misery to the ship captain's corruption, which is where the real blame lies.