How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"I knew he'd be sick," Alan said. "That didn't matter."
[…] "It seems a lot of things haven't mattered to you," said the voice of Merris Cromwell.
There was a small pause, and Alan replied, "I don't regret anything I've done." (10.201-203)
Up to this point, Alan's made a lot of choices that we don't yet know about, but the one Merris is most likely concerned with here is his decision to bring a demon to the Goblin Market. Do you think Alan was putting others in danger by making that choice? Why or why not?
Quote #8
He'd never been like Alan, never been able to take an interest in people, never had a crush or even a real friend. […] The idea of strangers dying didn't matter much to him. (12.2-3)
Hmm—sounds pretty cold at first. But there are lots of people who don't relate well to others, and really, how concerned can someone afford to be with the fates of strangers? Thousands of people die every day, and we certainly can't take the time to mourn them all. Still we can't help wondering if there's a difference between not grieving each and every loss and not caring at all. Is one approach more morally correct than the other? And is there a right way to feel about such things, or a correct way to relate to others?
Quote #9
"I can't work you out," Jamie felt the need to inform [Nick], because he was an idiot who never stopped talking. […] "You've been okay to me sometimes, but I can't tell if that means you like me. I don't know if you like anyone, I don't know if you can like anyone." (13.53)
Interesting question. What do you think? Does Nick actually like anyone? Can Nick actually like anyone? We think there's evidence to suggest that he can and that he does, but how about you? Can you find anything to support that statement—or refute it?