How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
My face hurts from smiling at so many people I don't know. The kids in my class are really friendly. Everyone wants to know everything about everybody else. It's completely terrifying, but I manage to meet everyone without having to know anybody. The trick with school is staying out of people's way. This works pretty well most of the time. At my old school it was only from the grownups that I got attention solely by trying to avoid it. (4.1)
If everyone is so friendly and nice, why is she so scared? Why is she so afraid to know anyone outside of her family? And what is it about attention that is so awful?
Quote #5
I don't sit with Adena and Laurel to make conversation, but to avoid the attention that comes when you sit by yourself during lunch. (4.13)
At this point, Ellen's attempts to avoid any attention whatsoever reek of desperation. What gives? This is much more than just being introverted.
Quote #6
"It's not your wanting to be with him that he minds," James says. "It's your demanding to know him."
Perhaps people have their own personal unwritten laws in addition to the social ones. And one of Link's laws could be that no one is allowed to know him well. In which case both James and I have broken it. Tried to, at least. The punishment for our efforts to know Link seems clear enough: banishment. If I have to choose, I would rather be with my brother than know him.
(7.76-77)
All of our characters have self-isolating tendencies: James loves to draw but won't show anyone; Ellen would rather commit seppuku than have anyone pay her attention; and Link banishes anyone who attempts to get to know him. What are they afraid of?