How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The journey itself was her positive action, her destination vague, unimagined, perhaps nonexistent. (1.49)
Like any self-respecting American in the 1950s, Eleanor finds her freedom behind the wheel of a car, windows down and hair blowing in the breeze. Is the car really a symbol for freedom? Where is it taking her?
Quote #2
…But the cottage was far behind, and it was time to look for her new road, so carefully charted by Dr. Montague.
"Turn left onto Route 5 going west," his letter said, and, as efficiently and promptly as though he had been guiding her from some spot far away, moving her car with controls in his hands, it was done; […]. (1.65-66)
But some confinement comes with the freedom you find even behind the well. Sure, Eleanor's on the open road, but she's restricted to following Dr. Montague's instructions. The whole scene hints that Eleanor's still confined by the expectations of others—first her mother and sister, now Dr. Montague.