How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
How is it that my father, whom I think I know so well, has picked the wrong—the ignorant—laws to follow? How would Link—how would I—ever follow laws different from Dad's if his are the ones we learn first? (7.67)
This is one of the main problems with growing up. Eventually you are forced to realize that your parents make mistakes, can be old-fashioned, or are sometimes downright bigoted, and then suddenly you have to forge your own path. Ugh.
Quote #8
"Don't look so panic-stricken, Ellen," Dad says. "I'm only trying to get a sense of your life. It seems like I was just teaching Link fractions, and now he has a girlfriend and does math I can't understand."
"Link taught himself fractions," I remind Dad. "It's why he skipped third grade."
"I was speaking metaphorically," Dad says. "You guys change so fast. With you, I have a shot at staying one step ahead."
He has no idea how Link has changed. And if he thinks he's a step ahead of me, he should think again.
(9.11-14)
Poor Dad really is in the dark. He thinks he has a good grip on his kids, but really he's losing them pretty quickly. Why does he think he has more of a shot with staying one step ahead of Ellen but not Link?
Quote #9
Members of the Coven are coming to visit his father tomorrow. The Coven is what James calls his three half sisters. They are from his father's first marriage. The youngest one is thirty-one but was my age when James was born. Mrs. Wentworth was already pregnant when she married Mr. Wentworth. The Coven, somewhat understandably, don't like James's mother. James doesn't like them at all. (9.35)
When we finally learn all the details about James's family, it just gets sadder and sadder. Not only does he have negligent parents, but he also has some half-sisters that resent him because they blame him for being the final nail in the coffin of their parents' marriage.