How we cite our quotes: (Story.Section.Paragraph) or (Story.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"They think they can kill a continent—people, trees, buffalo—and then fly off to the moon and just forget about it. But you and me we're going to remember the people, the trees and the f***ing buffalo." (Abortion.60)
Imani has just undergone a traumatic abortion procedure, and to make emotional matters worse, she's heading out to attend a memorial service for a teenage girl who was gunned down on her graduation day. It's not the best choice of things to do in her state. But Imani feels fierce loyalty to Holly Monroe—and to all the things that get lost to a dominant culture.
Quote #5
This had started as a joke between them. Her aim had been never to marry, but to take in lovers who could be sent home at dawn, freeing her to work and ramble.
"I'm here because you love me," was the traditional answer. But Clarence faltered, meeting her eyes, and Imani turned away. (Abortion.64-65)
The joke runs something like this: Imani looks at her husband and says, "What is this man doing in my house?" You can imagine that being a super cute joke with a pair of newlyweds. Not so much for a couple on the rocks, though—which Clarence and Imani are in a big way now. It doesn't help that Imani's whole vision of her future never included a permanent Clarence, someone who wants to love her conventionally.
Quote #6
He grew steadily worse, you know. His last letters were brutal. He blamed you for everything, even the accident, accusing you of awful, nasty things. He became a bitter, vindictive man. (Laurel.122)
Laurel's frustrated lust for the narrator has led him down a path of anger and self-destruction. The sexual attraction she once felt for him turns into a whole heap of guilt and self-blame. Would it have been better to have given in to his desire, despite her husband and baby? Would it have been love that led her to follow him, or her own self-interest?