How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
My mother would never buy [the perfume] for herself; she said it was a luxury we could not afford, but my father used to tell her everyone, no matter how poor, deserved at least one luxury. (2.2)
This not only establishes that Matt's family doesn't have a ton of money, but also that his father was a dreamer. It's amazing what can be revealed in a few sentences, eh?
Quote #2
"This is the tour? Just you and… him." She said "him" like I was something oozing from the bottom of the trash can.
"That's right, Marjorie. He is the tour guide, after all."
"Well, I can only say it's most inappropriate. Most inappropriate indeed. Your parents will not be pleased to hear of it."
It's hard to tell what Miss Simpkins is more offended by: the fact that Kate was alone with a boy, or the fact that Kate was alone with a poor boy, one who works aboard the ship as a cabin boy.
Quote #3
"I am. But I'm crew, not a first-class passenger. I can't just sit down in your stateroom!"
"I don't see why not, if a first-class passenger invites you."
She seemed quite miffed, and I understood then that hers was a world where she got her own way and nothing was impossible. For a moment I almost disliked her. Could she even imagine how other people lived? Could she guess how it felt to be poor and miss an opportunity because of a rich man and his son? (4.106-108)
We're gonna take a real shot in the dark and say that no, Kate probably can't imagine what it's like to be Matt. She's been given every opportunity in life—well, ones that are appropriate for a girl of her social standing—and will have a very hard time seeing past that privilege.
Quote #4
"I wish you wouldn't call me 'miss'"
"What should I call you?"
"Kate, of course."
"If I start calling you Kate now when it's just the two of us, I might slip up in public, and that'd be seen as impertinent."
"Silly rules."
"People like you invented them. Not me."
"Good point," She said appreciatively, a thoughtful crease in her brow. "Really good point." (5.134-140)
This might be the first time anyone has ever called her out on something like this. Most likely she doesn't spend a lot of time conversing with "the help" back home, and they wouldn't dare speak back to her the way that Matt feels comfortable doing. This is a great example of how unfair societies are where there is a clear hierarchy of social strata.
Quote #5
"My mother is wildly busy fluttering about in high society, and my father manages things."
"What exactly does he manage?"
"Other people's money mostly. It seems to take a great deal of his time and energy." (11.94-96)
Sounds a bit different than Matt's life, right? He was forced to take employment at the age of twelve to help support his family (for, you know, food and stuff) and Kate's dad makes a living just managing other people's money. Yikes.
Quote #6
"She's a fine-looking girl, no question, but you two have about as much future as a fish and a kangaroo." (12.89)
Baz is so helpfully pointing out (as if Matt might have forgotten) that poor guys don't get to end up with rich chicks. Gee thanks, buddy.
Quote #7
"And, Captain," said Miss Simpkins, "I would appreciate it if Mr. Cruse here would keep his distance from my charge. I fear he is a poor and perverse influence on her." (13.113)
Poor, eh? Interesting choice of words, Miss Simpkins.
Quote #8
Kate fluttered her fingers dismissively. "I don't believe for a second someone of Mr. Lunardi's breeding would pick up a struggling lady and lug her around like a sack of rice. Would you, Mr. Lunardi?" she said, smiling as if they shared some wonderful cozy secret. (14.245)
Kate usually isn't one to unfairly point out the disparity of their social standings, but this one was a low blow—she's implying that a man of Matt's breeding would lug a lady around, even though she clearly knows he's better than that. And Matt doesn't need to be brought down in front of Lunardi any more than he needs another reminder that he's not "one of them." This was just mean, Kate.
Quote #9
"You know," Bruce said, looking over at me, "this really is an amazing thing she's discovered here."
"Yes, and with your father's help, she'll come back again. You'll come again. I'll come again so I can serve you all lemonade. But right now, we need to go." (14.249-250)
Poor Matt—he wishes he could offer funding to Kate's future expeditions like Bruce has offered his father's money for. This was clearly supposed to be a joke, but we all know it's coming from a place of jealousy.
Quote #10
"Well, I think they were rather forced into [allowing me to attend university] after all this. Think how bad the press would be if it slipped out that all my dazzling promise was to be squished by brutish parents. It would embarrass my mother to no end." (21.63)
Although Kate's pleased with the results, its kind of sad that the only reason her parents will let her attend college is to avoid embarrassment amongst their peers. Before her discovery, her parent's roles as upper class twits prevented her from getting an education because that's just not what ladies of her social standing are supposed to do. Now though, the only thing allowing her to go is the embarrassment their exposed prejudice would reveal. Nice work, society.