How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
The volunteers waited until this was done and then advised him that he was traveling on a private toll road and that he could not drive on without payment of twenty-five dollars or by presenting a pass indicating that he was a resident of the city. (23.3)
This is the moment when Coalhouse's life takes a serious turn for the worse. The volunteers, emboldened by their Chief, and angry with the black man passing by in his fancy car, have decided to make an example of him. Just imagine how much twenty-five bucks was back then.
Quote #8
The big policeman came to a decision. He took Coalhouse aside. Listen, he said, we'll push your tin lizzie back on the road and you be on your way. There's no real damage. Scrape off the s*** and forget the whole thing. (23.10)
Because Coalhouse is black, the attitude of the policeman is that Coalhouse should just be thankful he's getting his car back. This is the attitude that Coalhouse so adamantly fights against, knowing that if the firemen had vandalized a white man's car, the policeman would have acted differently.
Quote #9
Sarah broke through the line and ran toward him calling, in her confusion, President! President! Her arm was extended and her black hand reached toward him. [...] A militiaman stepped forward and, with the deadly officiousness of armed men who protect the famous, brought the butt of of his Springfield against Sarah's chest as hard as he could. (25.6)
This is the straw that breaks the camel's back. In her innocence, Sarah tries to go to the Vice President on Coalhouse's behalf, and is assaulted, leading to her death. It's no surprise when this happens that Coalhouse commits to a plan that will ultimately lead to his death. The world that he thought was just now has no meaning for him.