How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"I can't be with someone who could do that to me." Then he looks right in my eyes, and says, "I can't be with someone who could do that to her sister." (31.53)
It's totally understandable that Joe is hurt, but we still think this is a low blow. Joe zeroes in on what Lennie feels guiltiest about, and he is clearly saying it to hurt her. The girl is suffering enough.
Quote #8
"Do you think she'd ever forgive me?"
"Oh, sweet pea, trust me on this one, she already has." (32.33-34)
Here we get to the heart of things. Lennie can never hear Bailey tell her that she forgives her, but hearing Gram say it is the closest Lennie is going to get to being forgiven by her sister.
Quote #9
I think about the ways Gram made sure our mother never died in our hearts, made sure Paige Walker never bore any blame for leaving her children. I think about how, unbeknownst to us, Gram culled that blame for herself. (33.34)
Well, this is one way to handle guilt. Gram felt so responsible for Paige's absence that she made sure her grandchildren never blamed Paige for it. How responsible do you think Gram really was, though?