How we cite our quotes: Chapter.Paragraph
Quote #4
Alex killed a couple of hours knocking a few balls around on his uncle's snooker table—and then felt vaguely guilty when Jack caught him at it. But what else was he to do? (1.33)
Is there a proper way to handle grief? Alex tries to distract himself from his unsettling reality, even though doing so makes him feel guilty.
Quote #5
He glanced at the slices of cold lamb on his plate. Dead meat. Suddenly he knew how it felt. (4.97)
First, we've got to give Alex some props—his quippy one-liner game is off the charts. But this is an important moment, because it's the first time Alex has to face the possibility of his own death.
Quote #6
"That's not our problem, Mrs. Jones. If the boy gets himself killed, at least it will be the final proof that there is something wrong. […] In a way, it would almost help us if he was killed." (6.19)
Mr. Blunt has a detached relationship with death. Sure, it might seem a bit gross, but it's just how he deals with facing death on a daily basis.