How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"We do terrible things to the ones we love sometimes," she said. "We can't explain it. We can't excuse it. It eats us up, but we do them just the same. You want to know about your mama, I know. But I can't tell you anything. None of us can. No one knows where she's gone. I can't explain that to you, Bone. I just can't, but I know your mama loves you. Don't doubt that. She loves you more than her life, and she an't never gonna forgive herself for what she's done to you, what she allowed to happen." (22.10)
We're just gonna direct your attention back to the epigraph of the novel for this one: bad actions eventually catch up with you. It may not happen right away, and it may not happen in ways that other people will recognize... but it will happen. Also, we'll point you to the last quote of this theme. Connections, people, connections.
Quote #8
How do you forgive somebody when you cannot even speak her name, when you cannot stand to close your eyes and see her face? (22.20)
Nobody ever said that forgiveness was easy. It's probably even harder when you're twelve. And you've been abandoned. By your mother. After your stepfather raped you. Yeah, forgiveness is not easy. So then how do we read the very end of the novel? Is it forgiveness that Bone feels for Anney?
Quote #9
Maybe it wasn't her fault. It wasn't mine. Maybe it wasn't a matter of anybody's fault. Maybe it was like Raylene said, the way the world goes, the way hearts get broken all the time. (22.43)
Maybe we naturally like to blame people. Maybe it's easier for some reason. Maybe it's not always necessary to blame someone. Maybe holding on to blame does more harm in the long run... Sorry, we were just continuing Raylene's train of thought. But those "maybes" sure are important; do you think Bone believes what Raylene says? Take a look at the line that comes directly before this one in the novel.