How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Even if you sit at home watching daytime TV for the rest of your life, it's a future of sorts. But that was their attitude with me—don't mention the future, because I didn't have one. And then we all had to pretend that not having a future was OK. (4.18)
It's tough for Sam when he realizes no one expects much from him. At best, Alicia's parents think he'll find something to do but not really be successful. All this talk of the future makes Sam think about how he spends his time in his life and whether it really matters or not.
Quote #5
It was like a computer game, getting whizzed into the future. You had to think on your feet, really quickly. You were driving fast down a straight road and then suddenly something was coming straight at you and you had to swerve. Why would I be in trouble? I decided I wouldn't. (6.157)
Perhaps he's come around to the idea that living life is more important than just jumping in and out of it. Sam figures going to the future would be exhilarating, but when he gets there, he's lost. He doesn't know what's real anymore, and it's confusing for him. Time goes by at a set pace for a reason.
Quote #6
I remembered now the thing I hated most about the future, apart from being scared that I'd never get back to my own time. In the future, you never knew what you were supposed to be doing when. (12.20)
Check out that phrase "my own time." Sam desperately wants to go to the world that he feels comfortable in without jumping ahead to what's next. It's interesting because he tries to get out of dealing with his life by skipping town and going to Hastings. Maybe there are worse things than getting yelled at for getting a girl pregnant.