How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Romeo ran ahead, gave the mule's rump a mighty whack and darted off; Joel felt a quick impulse to call him back, for it came to him all at once that he did not want to reach Skully's Landing alone. But there was nothing to be done about it now. (1.1.110)
When Romeo leaves Joel to his own devices in a mule cart, he realizes that he is now truly alone. His last connection to society has run off into the distance, and he's being pulled to a new life that he really can't even imagine. Unfortunately for him, his impulse to call Romeo was probably the right one.
Quote #8
It was night, and the wagon crept over an abandoned country road where the wheels ground softly through deep fine sand, muting John Brown's forlorn hoofclops. (1.1.111)
The road to Skully's Landing is abandoned, which is strange since people still live there. These little clues from the beginning of the novel are examples of foreshadowing: they're letting us, the readers, know that things are pretty dicey out at the Landing. It might as well be abandoned.
Quote #9
He felt separated, without identity, a stone-boy mounted on the rotted stump: there was no connection linking himself and the waterfall of elderberry leaves cascading on the ground, or, rising beyond, the Landing's steep, intricate roof. (1.3.15)
While Miss Amy and Randolph find themselves in the Landing, through the family memories and possessions passed down through generations, Joel feels like he's out to see. He has no connection to the people around him, which makes him feel disconnected even from himself.