Homecoming Mental Illness Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"Maybe I am crazy," her grandmother said. "You know?"

Dicey was beginning to think she might be.

"Maybe not. Do you feel sorry for me?"

"Why should I?" Dicey asked.

"Old, alone, crazy—the farm falling down around me. My husband dead these four years and more."

"I'm sorry," Dicey said.

"I'm not. I'm happy since he died." (2.7.184-190)

One nutty grandma coming up. It seems that Abigail is living up to all the warnings people have been handing out about her. She's happy that her husband died, so maybe this lady is bonkers.

Quote #8

"That's right," her grandmother said. "I remember now. It was in the letter. I'm not crazy."

"I know," Dicey said. (2.8.21-22)

Ah, crazy like a fox. So Abigail's just been acting strange to put Dicey off. Now, she insists she's sane, which is probably true. Of course, Dicey knew this all along since she lived with a mother who has a mental illness. She knows what it looks like first hand.

Quote #9

"Momma's in a mental hospital in Massachusetts," Dicey said. "She doesn't recognize anybody. She doesn't do anything. They don't think she's ever going to get well."

"Who don't think?" her grandmother asked.

"The doctors," Dicey said.

"They don't know," Sammy said. "She might. Isn't that right, Dicey?"

Dicey nodded.

"So you know better than the doctors," his grandmother said to Sammy.

Sammy's jaw went out and he didn't answer. (2.8.205-211)

Oh, Sammy. Always sticking up for Momma. Here, he insists that Momma can get better even though everyone has said she won't. A little catatonic state won't keep this kid from getting his hopes crushed.