How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"The idea!" said Mrs. Bentley to her dainty, rose-clustered teacup. "No one ever doubted I was a girl before. What a silly, horrible thing to do. I don't mind being old—not really—but I do resent having my childhood taken away from me." (15.57)
Interesting thought: When you refuse to believe someone's truth, you are stealing it from them.
Quote #5
She could see the children racing off under the cavernous trees with her youth in their frosty fingers, invisible as air. (15.58)
The past is invisible, except in our memories, which is why Mrs. Bentley has saved so many mementos. What's the difference between the event and the physical representation of the event? Can the latter ever really contain the former?
Quote #6
"Listen!" Mrs. Bentley seized the girl's wrist. "You must take these things on faith. Someday you'll be as old as I. People will say the same. 'Oh, no,' they'll say, 'those vultures were never hummingbirds, those owls were never orioles, those parrots were never bluebirds!' One day you'll be like me!" (15.93)
It's interesting that Mrs. Bentley uses entirely different species of birds for young and old. As we know, bluebirds don't grow up to be parrots, but this is Bradbury subtly reinforcing the idea of "separate races."