How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Pray to God, Mary." She continues, "Pray that He will bring you mercy and that He will give you a child, a way to love outside yourself." (13.16)
In Sister T's view, life is about living selflessly. Even though she's kind of a power-hungry despot, she thinks she's doing everything for the good of the community as head of a government that sponsors not love, but commitment to survival. So of course she would recommend child-bearing—it's the ultimate form of commitment and selflessness, which to Sister Tabitha is what love is all about. Interesting that she had no children of her own.
Quote #8
"The Sisterhood has it wrong," he says. "It's not about survival. It should be about love. When you know love… that's what makes this life worth it. When you live with it every day. Wake up with it, hold on to it during the thunder and after a nightmare. When love is your refuge from the death that surrounds us all and when it fills you so tight that you can't express it." (17.65)
Jed is one of the lucky few that finds their soul mate, despite all the rules of the village. Mary ain't so lucky, and neither are Cass, Travis, or Harry. Tough year, that one.
Quote #9
I have taken to spending most of my time up on the porch on the third floor, a place where Travis can't reach me because of his leg. I don't know what he does all day as I sit on the edge of the wooden boards, my legs dangling our in the air over the Unconsecrated below. (24.1)
These are the words and actions of a girl in love? Um… that's weird. Just sayin'.