How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Part of our agreement for [my mom] working and traveling so much was that I act responsibly and not be the kind of daughter who required constant supervision. (2.30)
At the beginning of the novel, Nora is pretty straight-laced. She does well in school and she checks in with her mom like she's supposed to. She seems like the kind of girl who stays out of trouble and obeys the rules.
Quote #2
'My mom doesn't like me going out with guys she hasn't met,' I said.
Elliot smiled but there was no warmth. 'We both know you're not that concerned with your mom's rules, since Saturday night you were with me at Delphic. (11.98-99)
In this same exchange, Nora mentions that she isn't allowed to go out on school nights, but Elliot rejects that idea. Trotting out the parent as an authority figure doesn't work in this case.
Quote #3
Detective Basso whipped his head around. 'Well? Which is it? Did he climb or jump? He could have pushed past you and gone out the front door. That would be the logical option. That's what I'd have done. I'm going to ask once more. Think real careful. Did you really see someone in your room tonight?'
He didn't believe me. He thought I'd invented it. (14.95-96)
The detectives in the story are pretty useless. Police officers are often representatives of law and order, but in their interactions with Nora, they often seem skeptical, mildly antagonistic, accusatory, and clueless. Her interactions with the detectives indicate that when trouble strikes, she won't be able to depend on traditional authority figures for rescue.