How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"From what I hear, you have your share of guts and courage too. Without you, the other boys may have been injured much more than they were. Wasn't it you that helped get Tyrone and B.J. out of the car?" (7.25)
Even though Andy blames himself for Robbie's death, Coach Ripley reminds him that he helped the other guys, too. If we let our bad choices define us, then we don't have an opportunity to let the good ones define us, too.
Quote #5
"It's all your fault, you know. All your fault. You got the beer. You drove the car. You smashed into the wall. You killed me. And now you gotta come and keep me company." (21.64)
In his dream, Andy imagines Rob saying this to him. Do you think it helps Andy to imagine what Robbie would tell him, or does it only make things worse?
Quote #6
So, instead of writing, "I'm sorry about what happened" 6,000 times on a sheet of notebook paper (like the teachers used to make us do in elementary school when we were bad), I decided to write you this letter to help you remember the good stuff, instead of the bad. (22.1)
Andy's letter to Robbie's parents is super sad because it gets right to the heart of the matter: He knows he can't change his choices; he knows nothing will alter the past. But he wants to tell them how much their son meant to him nonetheless.