How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
I had formulated a plan for escape. I was going to double my crab catch and keep half the money for myself, turning over to my mother the usual amount. My half I would save until I had enough to send myself to boarding school in Crisfield. On Smith Island to the south of us there was no high school, not even the pretense of one that we had on Rass. The state, therefore, sent any Smith Islanders who continued school after the elementary level to a boarding school in Crisfield. The prices were not out of sight. Too high, it was true, for an island family without state aid to contemplate, but low enough for me to dream and work towards. It seemed to me that if I could get off the island, I would be free from hate and guilt and damnation, even, perhaps, from God himself. (6.13)
This is actually a pretty solid plan. Louise would probably benefit from getting some much-needed time away from home. The longer she stays on Rass, the more bitter she gets about her lot in life.
Quote #5
"There's plenty," Daddy went on, "that aren't so lucky. A lot of the boats not sunk are all tore up. It'll be a hard year for many." Our crab house was gone and the floats as well, but we had our boat. "The dock's tore up right smart, but folks got their homes.
"Not the Captain." Caroline said it so quickly and loudly that no one else had a chance. It didn't seem right to me that the Captain should be robbed of the chance to tell his own tragedy. He had nothing else to call his own. He should have at least had his story. But Caroline was like that, snatching other people's rights without even thinking. (11.43-44)
So, the Captain comes home after all those years only to lose his house within a few months. That's irony right there.
Quote #6
"I—I was trying to think—we could never afford this school in Baltimore, but maybe Crisfield. We could borrow some- thing on next year's earnings—"
"Why should Caroline go to Crisfield when she has a chance—"
"No, not Caroline, you. I thought we might send you—"
She did hate me. There. See. She was trying to get rid of me. "Crisfield!" I cried contemptuously. "Crisfield! I'd rather be chopped for crab bait!"
"Oh," she said. I had plainly confused her. "I really thought you might like—"
"Well, you were wrong!"
"Louise—"
"Momma, would you just get out and leave me alone!" If she refused, I would take it for a sign, not only that she cared about me but that God did. If she stayed in that room— She stood up, hesitating. (15.24-31)
Okay, so this was totally Louise's plan just a few chapters ago, and now she's screaming at her mother for even suggesting it. As Louise gets hit with more and more bad news, she clings tighter to Rass Island and her anger. Hey, why let go of all that familiar negativity when you can sit at home and fester in it for the rest of your life? Sounds nice. Oh, wait…