How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"How do you like our city?"
"I haven't seen enough of it to know." That was a lie. I had. (1.15)
Pretty much the very first words out of the Op's mouth when he meets with Mrs. Willsson are lies, but why does the Op even tell us this? Is this detail a significant clue to understanding the Op's personality?
Quote #2
I dug out my card case and ran through collection of credentials I had picked up here and there by one means or another. The red card was the one I wanted. It indentified me as Henry F. Neil, A. B. seaman, member in good standing of the Industrial Workers of the World. There wasn't a word of truth in it. (1.54)
When the Op hands Bill Quint his business card, it's a fake. This is particularly ironic for us as readers since the Op remains nameless for the entire novel. The Op's anonymity is also what aids him in spreading lies and getting the gangsters to become enemies with each other.
Quote #3
"What was I using my son for?"
"To put the knife in Thaler, Yard and the Finn."
"You're a liar."
"I didn't invent the story. It's all over Personville."
"It's a lie. I gave him the papers. He did what he wanted with them." (2.55)
Elihu Willsson seems to be in denial both about why Donald was killed and how he (Elihu) may have indirectly led to his son's death. Elihu accuses the Op of lying, when in fact he is the one lying to himself about the real reason why he wanted his son to be the editor of the newspaper. This self-denial may be a coping mechanism, but it also shows Elihu as a weak and selfish father.