How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
I giggled. 'Do you think that really happened?'
'Well, yes and no,' she said. 'Some things happen in a literal way, Lily. And then other things, like this one, happen in a not-literal way, but they still happen. Do you know what I mean?' (8.45).
Here, August downplays the importance of "literal" truth in stories. The novel itself contains some stories with clear non-literal truths, such as the swarms of bees that invaded Lily's room and the legend of Our Lady of Chains. August seems to believe that a story's importance has more to do with what it helps the listener to feel, see, or do, and less to do with the facts.
Quote #8
'I'll write this all down for you.' I said. 'I'll put it in a story.'
I don't know if that's what he wanted to ask me, but it's something everybody wants—for someone to see the hurt done to them and set it down like it matters (9.153).
Here, Lily suggests that story can also be powerful tool for documenting a history (in this case, a personal one). So, in this case, the factual would actually be pretty powerful, no?