How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
That had been, as near as he could remember, on the morning before the evening when Margaret had tried to kill herself with sleeping-pills. (1.50)
Although alcohol is Jim's drug of choice, sleeping pills are Margaret's escape drug. She's been having trouble sleeping and taking the pills to help, but she eventually uses them in her alleged suicide attempt.
Quote #2
But renewal always came: a new sweater would somehow scale down the large feet, generosity revivify the brittle hair, a couple of pints cite positive charm in talk of the London stage or French food. (4.13)
Jim might not find Margaret all that attractive when he's sober. But when he has a few pints in him, she looks better to him. The idea that being drunk makes people seem more attractive is an old cliché.
Quote #3
"Look, Margaret, can't we go out for a drink? I need one, and we shan't get one here. It's only just eight; we could be back…" (4.45)
When Jim decides that he can't handle any more of the Welches' artsy house party, he asks Margaret to run away with him to the nearby pub. He knows that doing this will hurt his relationship with Professor Welch, but it's like he has no choice.