How we cite our quotes: (Chapter. Paragraph)
Quote #4
She remembered, though, that she was not here to sympathize with Gino--at all events, not to show that she sympathized. She also reminded herself that he was not worthy of sympathy. (7.44)
Miss Abbott is on a mission to rescue the baby from his terrible father. But when she comes face to face with Gino, she's in for a surprise. Gino isn't the brutish father she was expecting—in fact, he's quite the opposite. He's caring and affectionate, and clearly adores his son. So now Caroline has to decide where her sympathies lie: with the Herritons or with Gino. Has she made a mistake in thinking that Gino wasn't deserving of compassion and understanding?
Quote #5
"Remember," she continued, "there is to be no revenge. I will have no more intentional evil. We are not to fight with each other any more." "I shall never forgive him," sighed Philip. (9.50)
After Gino hears of his son's death, he reacts violently by assaulting Philip and nearly killing him. We don't really blame Philip for not wanting to forgive Gino for the attack, but Caroline reminds the men that this isn't a time for revenge. She tries to draw out the compassion in both men, encouraging them to forgive each other and make amends before more harm is committed. Ok, we do like Miss Abbott.
Quote #6
Her eyes were open, full of infinite pity and full of majesty, as if they discerned the boundaries of sorrow, and saw unimaginable tracts beyond. Such eyes he had seen in great pictures but never in a mortal. Her hands were folded round the sufferer, stroking him lightly, for even a goddess can do no more than that. And it seemed fitting, too, that she should bend her head and touch his forehead with her lips. (9.54)
This moment is one of the few scenes in the novel where we come close to what Tesi calls simpatico, or sympathy. Miss Abbott seems to be transformed into a goddess by her compassion for Gino and his grief. Has Caroline has undergone a spiritual growth since the beginning of the novel?