How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #4
There was no need for that. Nick, standing in the door of the kitchen, had a good view of the upper bunk when his father, the lamp in one hand, tipped the Indian's head back. (45)
Of all the things to see, Nick has a front-row seat of the Indian man's death. Knowing that Nick tried to avoid seeing the Indian woman's Caesarian procedure, it seems significant that seeing the suicide is unavoidable for him. If we take this metaphorically, is it possible that it says something about how in life we are all eventually forced to confront death?
Quote #5
"I'm terribly sorry I brought you along, Nickie," said his father, all his post-operation exhilaration gone. "It was an awful mess to put you through." (47)
Here is Nick's dad trying to comfort him and reassure him that the world in fact is not an awful place (take a look at what we say about this passage under Men and Masculinity earlier in the "Themes" section to see how we read its language). But as you can see, it's a pretty sobering moment, and it seems like maybe Nick's dad won't be able to undo that revelation for his son.
Quote #6
They were seated in the boat, Nick in the stern, his father rowing. (64)
You might recall that on their way to the Indian camp, Nick was laying with his father's arms around him (3). Now they are separated, awkwardly sitting in different parts of the boat, his father doing the rowing (like he is re-gaining control). This is actually a really big change, because it shows us that Nick is no longer his father's little boy; and this incident has not only changed Nick, but in the process has also changed his relationship to his father.