How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
What is more eyebrow-raising is the suggestion of lesbianism in this friendship, a suggestion that in some early letters is uncomfortably explicit. (1.2.12)
Susan's first love is her best friend, Augusta. Though there's a lot of ambiguity over the exact nature of this relationship, Susan makes it perfectly clear that there's no one she loves more—even her husband, Oliver. Hanky-panky or not, the bond between Susan and Augusta is one that can't be broken.
Quote #2
I don't think there was that much of an attachment, not on her part. He kept writing, and she didn't have the heart to shut him off. (1.4.9)
To be brutally honest, Susan just isn't all that into Oliver at first. He's sort of cute, sure, and he seems awfully nice, but he's just not the sort of intellectual that Susan is usually attracted to. Oliver is going to be fighting an uphill battle if he's going to make it to Susan's heart.
Quote #3
As for Susan Burling [...] that strong grip was [...] the very hand of the protective male. When she came up out of her dizzying tête-à-tête with the waterfall she was in love. (1.5.5)
Eventually, Oliver wins Susan over through the sheer force of his manliness. He's like the Chuck Norris of the 1800s, right? Jokes aside, this scene indicates that Susan falls in love with Oliver because he can protect her: after all, it's the act of holding her as she hangs over the edge of a waterfall that finally, well, pushes her over the edge. Oh, man—we crack ourselves up.