How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
He shut the portfolio that held the drawings he had made of her, tied it with a string, and put it away in his trunk. (19.120)
This is Tod's method for getting over Faye, and it actually works pretty well. It also confirms to us that Tod's art amplifies his feelings (whether he realizes it or not) in some borderline unhealthy ways.
Quote #8
Despite the agony in his leg, he was able to think clearly about his picture, "The Burning of Los Angeles." (27.80)
To be honest, we never see Tod actually work on "The Burning of Los Angeles." Instead, we only see him imagine working on it in order to avoid thinking about something else. Why do you think that is? Is he just another one of those people who come to California to die?
Quote #9
After his quarrel with Faye, he had worked on it continually to escape tormenting himself, and the way to it in his mind had become almost automatic. (27.80)
This makes us think that Tod never really gets over Faye—instead, he simply shifts his obsession from her to his painting. Works well, sure, but it's not too healthy. In this way, Tod has practically become one of the people who inspired him to paint—a person who comes to Hollywood with big hopes only to see them disappointed.