How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Gram goes," he says. "She planted a few rosebushes, a bunch of other flowers too. The grounds people told her she had to get rid of them, but every time they pulled out her plants, she just replanted more. They finally gave up." (34.29)
See, this makes us respect Gram. Instead of fighting with the groundskeepers, she just kept doggedly replanting, because giving Bailey flowers was that important to her. It takes an amazing amount of patience to keep replanting things that other people dig up—probably the same patience that makes Gram the best gardener in Clover.
Quote #8
Without thinking, I veer onto the trail to the forest bedroom. All around me, the woods are in an uproar of beauty. Sunlight cascades through the trees, making the fern-covered floor look jeweled and incandescent. Rhododendron bushes sweep past me right and left like women in fabulous dresses. I want to wrap my arms around all of it. (35.17)
This is the scene where Lennie is going to write a poem for Joe about how much she loves him. Makes sense from the language, doesn't it? She loves the greenery around her so much that she has to restrain herself from hugging it.
Quote #9
I walk the footpath that winds through the graves listening to the rush of the falls, remembering how important it was for me, despite all reason, that Bailey's grave be where she could see and hear and even smell the river. (38.17)
Lennie knew Bailey's body didn't have consciousness, but still wanted her to be buried near nature. Maybe this was a way for her feel less powerless, to give Bailey something—whether or not her spirit received the gift.