How we cite our quotes: Volume.Part.Chapter.Paragraph
Quote #4
"No man under heaven deserves these sacrifices from us women. Men! They are the enemies of our innocence and our peace—they drag us away from our parents' love and sisters' friendship—they take us body and soul to themselves, and fasten our helpless lives to theirs as they chain up a dog to his kennel." (1.3.2.15)
Marian's proto-feminist rant makes us want to applaud. The diction, the rapid speed of the clauses—which sort of build in rhythm—and the powerful imagery really help hammer her social commentary home.
Quote #5
His Laura! I am as little able to realise the idea which those two words convey—my mind feels almost as dulled and stunned by it—as if writing of her marriage were like writing of her death. (1.3.2.39)
Marian's possessive feelings toward Laura and the melodramatic bent her writing takes (with the idea of Laura's marriage equaling her death) have raised some eyebrows over the years. Some critics have even found Laura and Marian's relationship borderline incestuous. Until Walter comes along, Marian and Laura basically only have each other for friendship and family, so the strong attachment isn't surprising.
Quote #6
As Eleanor Fairlie (aged seven-and-thirty), she was always talking pretentious nonsense […] As Madame Fosco (aged three-and-forty), she sits for hours together without saying a word, frozen up in the strangest manner in herself. (2.1.2.21)
Eleanor Fairlie's transformation into Countess Fosco after her marriage is scary. It's strongly implied that the change is a result of an abusive relationship at the hands of the cruel and manipulative Fosco.