How we cite our quotes: (Part.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #4
At one time it had not mattered in the least to Lone whether he was near men or not. Now, he wanted only to be able to be what he knew he was—alone. But eight years at the farm had changed his way of life. He needed shelter. (1.24.4)
After leaving the Prodds, Lone gets even lonelier than before. At the beginning of the book, he simply didn't care one way or the other about others. Now he wants to stand apart and even build a shelter to be alone in. This guy is what we call a rugged individualist, like Han Solo or Jack Sparrow.
Quote #5
Alone. Lone Lone alone. Prodd was alone now and Janie was alone and the twins, well they had each other but they were like one split person who was alone. He himself, Lone, was still alone, it didn't make any difference about the kids being there.
Maybe Prodd and his wife had not been alone. He wouldn't have any way of knowing about that. But there was nothing like Lone anywhere in the world except right here inside him. The whole world threw Lone away, you know that? Even the Prodds did, when they got around to it. Janie got thrown out, the twins too, so Janie said.
Well, in a funny way it helps to know you're alone, thought Lone. (1.26.29-31)
Some change is afoot here. Lone feels the presence of Janie and the twins makes no difference to his loneliness, but he's also identifying something they four have in common. Maybe before he'd get picked last for the sports team, but now he knows three other people would get picked last along with him. Strength in numbers—it's definitely a thing.
Quote #6
Prodd and his wife had shucked him off when he was in the way, after all those years, and that meant they were ready to do it the first year and the second and the fifth—all the time, any time. You can't say you're a part of anything, anybody, that feels free to do that to you. (1.29.14)
Lone is deciding that a group who kicks you out for no reason never really accepted you in the first place. This guy would probably be a wizard at surviving high school cliques.