How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Dicey knew what he was thinking, that Gram wasn’t like other people, she was different, an oddball. A lot of people in town thought she was just plain crazy. (2.145)
The major difference between being an "oddball" and mentally ill: one can be fun, while the other can be deadly.
Quote #5
Dicey knew what the woman was thinking, how the connections were made behind her eyes. But she was glad nobody was there to hear how Gram’s mind jumped around. (3.25)
Sometimes a mind that jumps around is a sign of genius, because you can make connections other people can’t. And often folks write that off as insanity because they don't have the brainpower to understand what's truly going on.
Quote #6
Dicey thought she knew what he was thinking—that Maybeth was like Momma. "Nothing’s wrong with her," she said quickly. "You know that and I know that, James." (5.20)
Now there are even TV shows about kids with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, most of who are taking lots of psychiatric medications. But back in the '80s, kids and mental illness didn't really mix. It seems that her family's taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to understanding Maybeth's difficulties.