How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Their cabin. Their entire world, a single room, twenty-four feet by twelve, plus the four feet square of the entrance hall, where the boots and coats waited until it was time for them to work again, and the larder room, which was behind the other inner door in the hall. The larder room, which as well as holding all their food, candles, soap, tools, and spare cloth, was at night home to Sig. (2.8)
It's not much, but it's home. We'd like to point out just how important the cabin ends up being in the novel—after all, it's Einar's proof that he's not rich, because all he has is a small cabin that belongs to his boss. It seems like Einar purposely lives frugally so no one suspects his theft.
Quote #2
A greed brought them, and now it seemed as if that greed would kill them. Ice-bitten and hunger-eyed, Einar Andersson stood on the beach, very near the creek that had started the whole damn thing, and wept. It had been his greed, his weakness, and it was his guilt that he fought to ignore now. (5.1)
Everyone wanted to strike it rich during the gold rush, but when it comes down to it, that desire was rooted in greed. Einar feels badly that he's put his family in this position, but this doesn't stop him from still being greedy enough to steal gold.
Quote #3
Just enough to keep that stupid dream of easy money alive, the dream of fantastic wealth, of ease and luxury and fine things for the rest of his days, but in reality not enough to live on for even a week. (8.3)
It seems like Einar and his boss have got it all figured out, yet if there's no hope for gold-miners aside from in their dreams, why are so many people flocking to Alaska to find gold? The novel shows us that everyone is after wealth in one way or another.