How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Watching an old person cry is not the same as watching a young person cry. Old people don't really seem hurt so much as they seem hopeless, which is worse. (14.44)
Well, this is super depressing. Jack seems to be suggesting that old people don't get sad because they never expect anything good to happen, and so they're never disappointed or hurt. Aside from the depressing factor, this is a pretty mature insight for Jack to make. It suggests that he's a pretty thoughtful, compassionate guy, and that the really pays attention to people.
Quote #5
I punched the gas pedal and took off like I was a real man and not some spineless kid who was afraid of a plastic skeleton in a dress. (21.29)
Since Jack equates driving with being more grown up, he tries to show off his mad skills for Mertie-Jo. It's like he wants to replace the image of him screeching like a little girl when he found the plastic skeleton with the image of screeching away in the car. (Listen up, Shmoopers: real men drive safely.)
Quote #6
[I]f you do something bad and forget about it, then you might do the same bad thing again. But if you always remember it, then chances are you won't do the bad thing twice. (23.46)
Jack really lays out the central theme of the book here, but we think it might be too late for his dad. Still, it's an important moment: the student has become the teacher, the trainee has become the Jedi, the Karate Kid has become Mister Miyagi—you get the point.