How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
He was terrified of his own mortality; like many, he saw his impending death as an affront to his dignity, the ultimate insult, and his last few years were consumed by his desire to cheat the natural order, or at least wrest from death's icy embrace a scant moment or two beyond his due. (4.94)
Death can deal quite the blow to someone's pride, particularly if they are being confronted by their mortality for the first time. So when Alistair Warthrop finally acknowledged that he was dying, he was afraid—this wasn't supposed to happen to him, and he felt he was supposed to always be in control of his life.
Quote #8
I might have asked why discovery was undesirable in this instance, but everything in his demeanor suggested the answer to that question was obvious. I suspect now the answer had more to do with his discovery of his father's possible involvement than with the hazard of setting off a firestorm of panic. The doctor was more concerned with his father's reputation—and, by extension, his own—than the public welfare. (5.32)
Dr. Warthrop attaches a considerable amount of pride to his last name and the reputation it entails. If everyone found out about the Anthropophagi, and that his father had been responsible, the name "Warthrop" would forever be associated with terror and violence. So instead of disclosing what he knows to proper authorities, he keeps it under wraps—and the Stinnets pay the price.
Quote #9
"Stop that insufferable sniveling. I did not take you in to be my cook or my nursemaid or for any reason beyond the obligation I owed your father for his unselfish service. You have potential, Will Henry. You are clever and inquisitive and are not without some mettle in your marrow, indispensable qualities in an assistant and, perhaps, a future scientist, but don't suffer under any illusions that you are more than that: an assistant forced upon me by unfortunate circumstances. You are not here to provide for me; I am here to provide for you. Now finish this fine soup of which you are so inexplicably proud, and get to the carriage house to ready our horses. We leave at nightfall." (5.91)
Dr. Warthrop is scolding Will Henry for having the decency to cook them both some soup when his instructions were for Will Henry to feed himself. He eventually sees that it's a ridiculous thing to be mad about, and so he's forced to give this roundabout apology (because believe it or not, that's what this lecture was intended to be) because it is the best his pride will allow.