How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
But Joel didn't much like God, for He had betrayed him too many times. (1.2.79)
In a novel full of betrayals, disappointments, and lies, God is the number one offender for Joel. And if you can't trust God, whom can you trust? This deception is related to Joel's general mistrust for all adults and authority figures, and you can't really blame him, can you?
Quote #2
"[. . .] You ever see the snow?"
Rather breathlessly, Joel lied and claimed that he most certainly had; it was a pardonable deception, for he had a great yearning to see bona fide snow: next to owning the Koh-i-noor diamond, that was his ultimate secret wish. (1.2.86-87)
For some reason, Joel is just a big fat liar. It seems to just flow out of him. And here we get a key to what might be causing it. He links his "yearning" and "secret wish" to forgiving his deception. His desires are real, that's for sure, so somehow he sees treating them as fulfilled as a kind of honesty. Not sure if that would stand up in a court of law, though.
Quote #3
Missouri denounced him with considerable disgust. "You is a gret big story."
"Honest, cross my heart," and he x-ed his chest.
"Uh uh. You Mama die in the sick bed. Mister Randolph say so."
Somehow, spinning the tale, Joel had believed every word; the cave, the howling wolves, these had seemed more real than Missouri and her long neck, or Miss Amy, or the shadowy kitchen. (1.2.92-95)
Zoo has a funny way of rejecting Joel's lies, not calling his words a story but calling him a great, big story. It's as if Joel himself were a lie. And the next paragraph shows that, in some ways, he is. He has convinced himself of a lie because it's easier to believe than the awful truth.