How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
But when all was said, he had come up from the sea himself, had built up a proud little business with no capital but his own skill and foresight, and had proved himself a man. In his daughter, John Bergson recognized the strength of will, and the simple direct way of thinking things out, that had characterized his father in his better days. He would much rather, of course, have seen this likeness in one of his sons, but it was not a question of choice. (1.2.7)
John Bergson's father "proved himself a man," by making his own business, but he squandered it all—leaving his son to make up for it. But in a twisted, new land, things don't exactly turn out the way he thought. It seems like those manly characteristics—his father's "skill and foresight"—didn't end up in his sons, but are best reflected in his daughter, Alexandra. Now, it sounds like he's a little disappointed. Maybe Alexandra's gender-bending is really about pleasing daddy…
Quote #5
He seemed to shrink into himself as he used to do; to hold himself away from things, as if he were afraid of being hurt. In short, he was more self-conscious than a man of thirty-five is expected to be. He looked older than his years and not very strong. (2.4.1)
Even as a grown up, Carl still doesn't exactly match the stereotypes of manliness. It seems leaving the Divide and living in the big city hasn't done much for bringing him out of his protective shell.
Quote #6
"Well, suppose I want to take care of him? Whose business is it but my own?"
"Don't you know he'd get hold of your property?"
"He'd get hold of what I wished to give him, certainly." (2.10.16-18)
When Alexandra and Carl finally hook up, their relationship is not exactly what we'd call "traditional," at least for the Divide. Alexandra is a successful farmer and businesswoman. Apparently, Carl has almost nothing to his name. Though this arrangement offends her brothers and makes them fear for "their" property, Alexandra is never once concerned. Yep—she's in control.