How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Love without fear, sex without risk, that's what they wanted to be true; and they almost did it, I thought, they almost pulled it off, but as in magicians' tricks or burglaries half-success is failure and we're back to the other things. Love is taking precautions. (9.24)
The narrator offers yet another relatively unromantic take on "love," which involves making sure you have plenty of birth control and a low risk of pregnancy.
Quote #5
I wondered if that was the equivalent of saying I loved him. I was calculating how much getaway money I had in the bank, how long it would take me to pack and move out, away from the clay dust and the cellar mould smell and the monstrous humanoid pots, how soon I could find a new place. Prove your love, they say. (10.28)
She has just assured Joe that, contrary to his belief, she does give a darn about him (sorry for the language, Shmoopers), and she is hoping that will suffice (i.e., she'll be off the hook for not saying "I love you" outright). However, given that she's running through plans to move out, it seems like she doesn't think the ploy will work.
Quote #6
"Do you love me, that's all," he said. "That's the only thing that matters."
It was the language again, I couldn't use it because it wasn't mine. He must have known what he meant but it was an imprecise word; the Eskimoes had fifty-two names for snow because it was important to them, there ought to be as many for love.
"I want to," I said. ""I do in a way." I hunted through my brain for any emotion that would coincide with what I'd said. I did want to, but it was like thinking God should exist and not being able to believe. (12.51-53)
Joe is finally asking the narrator straight out whether she loves him, and she still isn't ready to answer in the affirmative. The word just doesn't fit any of the emotions she has for him.