How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Lamont naturally wanted to take everything he had. Boys collect things—anything useless. (6.2)
Lamont and his sisters are packing for their voyage across the sea, and according to Helena, Lamont's bad packing habits have to do with his gender. She really likes to generalize about what boys do and don't do, so keep an eye out for these assumptions throughout the book. Does Helena ever not generalize about gender?
Quote #5
Camilla always had a pleasant, girlish way of darting about that Louise tried to copy. (6.20)
When it comes to being feminine, Camilla takes the cake. She's great at putting on her gloves, wearing pretty dresses, and looking dainty. And according to Helena, Louise likes to be super girly too. What do you think about this idea that gender is the same for mice and for humans? How is Louise "girlish" like Camilla? Are there any ways in which Louise or Camilla are not traditionally feminine?
Quote #6
He spirited Lamont off to an airing cupboard he ran as a dormitory for traveling mouse boys.
"You've 'eard of the Boy scouts?" Nigel had said. "They were invented in England. 'Ere at sea we've got the Mouse Scouts. My invention." Nigel jerked a thumb at himself.
"It's better to watch boys," he remarked, "and to keep 'em busy." (7.50-52)
Well we know that Helena has some assumptions about boys in general—and it looks like Nigel has some, too. What do you think of Nigel's idea that boys need to be watched and kept busy? Does Lamont support this idea? And what about Nigel?