Fever, 1793 Women and Femininity Quotes Page 3
Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
| Quote #7 I shook my head. Nonsense. Foolish nonsense. I was being weak and foolish. There was no point in wandering like a lost puppy. I needed to get home and sleep. Grandfather would not be proud if he saw me acting so spineless. I needed to captain myself. (20.87) |
Matilda earlier described her mother as her captain. Here, she uses the same image but in a different way. What does it mean to captain herself?
| Quote #8 Eliza pulled a knife from the waistband of her skirt. "If they try again, we'll be ready." Once that would have shocked me, but no longer. I picked up the sword and hung it over the fireplace. We would keep the children safe. (25.15-25.16) |
Back at the coffeehouse, Matilda and Eliza have become the sole protectors of the children. What is the significance of the weapons? (Hint: think phallic symbols and masculine authority.)
| Quote #9 "Eliza, I want you to be my partner. There's no one better suited to it, no one I can trust. Or who will put up with me." (27.54) |
Matilda asks Eliza to be her business partner. What path has Matilda chosen for herself? Why has she included Eliza?
