How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"It is not you, but the culture," she said with what I think was fondness, though it might have been amusement. "The culture says you cannot have, so you want. You think my maman was wanting American rancher for me?" (23.11)
Agnès sees the world differently than Pearl—to her, Pearl is only really interested in Amiel because she can't have him. You know that feeling you get when someone tells you something is forbidden? It makes you want it even more. Agnès claims that's the only reason Pearl likes Amiel at all. Do you think she's right?
Quote #5
"But I will tell you a saying my father told to me. Amour fait beaucoup, mais argent fait tout." I waited because the only word I understood was "love." "Which means?" I asked. "Love does much," she said, "but money does all." (23.21)
Leave it to Agnès to bust out French at a random moment when talking about love. Even though Pearl rolls her eyes at Agnès's pretentiousness, we can't help but notice that her statement stops Pearl in her tracks. According to Agnès, love doesn't conquer all, because only money can do that.
Quote #6
"So how're you lovebirds?" I asked with false cheer. Since only old people use the word lovebirds, I immediately went quiet. Hickey and Greenie re-entwined themselves on the wooden swing, and I perched on the edge of a ratty lounge chair. (25.11)
Greenie and Hickey are your typical teenage lovebirds. They spend all of their time together, can't get enough of each other, and immediately ditch their friends when the other is near. They give us another portrait of love in the novel, but this time from a more conventional route. In fact, they make us notice how unconventional Amiel and Pearl really are.