How we cite our quotes: (Section.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Then she went to the butcher and he gave her some liver and some dog-meat. It was the first time any one had spoken to her in a friendly way for a long time (2.12)
That's a pretty low standard for friendliness, if you ask us. Are the rest of the townsfolk straight-up rude to her? Or do they just act like she doesn't exist?
Quote #8
Whatever happened she never said anything. That was her way of getting along (3.2)
The old woman responds to her abuse by becoming even more isolated, drawing within herself to stay sane. In this way, she's the most isolated at all—she's isolated internally as well as externally.
Quote #9
Such men as Jake Grimes and his son always keep just such dogs. They kick and abuse them, but they stay. (3.6)
Those dogs are a lot like Mrs. Grimes—they are abused, mistreated, and demeaned, but don't run away. This is common in abusive relationships, with the abuser isolating the abused into a sort of "Stockholm Syndrome."