How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Look how that woman walks with her arm on that man's arm. Don't they know that they shouldn't touch in public—that's just wrong! And, besides, women should always walk behind men."
"Why should women walk behind men?" (9.10.23-24)
It looks like Manjiro's sympathies have extended to women, the true absent class in the book. Well, it's not totally absent, but the female presence is definitely lacking in this book in a major way. Not that there's much that can be done about it—the story does have (at this point) to do with a ship at sea in the 19th century, which isn't exactly a female sphere at this time. This just makes Manjiro's response even more radical, though, since he's questioning the patriarchal system that overarches American and Japanese cultures.
Quote #8
"It's wondrous what they do," Terry said breathlessly. "It's so exact, it's almost more real than looking in a mirror. And fast! Not like sitting for days or weeks to have your portrait painted—and who can afford that, anyway?" (4.34.8)
Terry definitely has a point: Sitting for a portrait for weeks on end definitely couldn't work unless you had money. Good thing photography isn't just for the wealthy these days.
Quote #9
He paused, not wanting to disturb them, and heard the captain say, "I had resigned myself to a life at sea, with a small house in Fairhaven for my few months between ships. But now, with a bright young ward, I've begun to think of a farm again. A boy should have land to roam, work for his hands to do, a pond to fish, and a horse to ride."
Who was this boy they were talking about? Was it him? Was the captain suggesting that he should have a horse to ride? (3.15.48-49)
The Captain's telling Mr. and Mrs. Aken that he's thinking about changing his lifestyle for Manjiro. This is also one of those subtle moments when we realize how well-to-do Captain Whitfield must be. He definitely doesn't flaunt his class or wealth, but the easy way he just drops the idea of buying a farm and a horse for Manjiro is telling.