How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"As soon as you get a job, I'll follow you. If you want, we can live together for a while. If it's good, we can get married."
[...]
"Too late," he said (3.90)
What Lib doesn't know yet, of course, is that the very concept of jobs is about to become obsolete for the foreseeable future. There goes that plan. In fact, that's one of the big tragedies of a situation like this. The hopes, dreams, and desires of millions are snuffed out in an instant, whether they're killed in the initial blasts or not.
Quote #2
"Your job is to survive because if you don't the children won't survive. That is your job. There is no other. You understand that, Helen?" (4.6)
Helen probably expected to enjoy a slow, steady life as a military wife, and then a lovely, long retirement with the man she loves. Not a likely outcome in the Nuclear Age. Instead, she'll have to fight tooth and nail just for her children to survive to adulthood.
Quote #3
Since The Day, he had lived in the imperative present, not daring to plan beyond the next meal or the next day. (8.104)
After the bomb falls, the concept of the future ceases to exist. You could run out of food that day. You could get jumped by a highwayman tomorrow. No use worrying about a tomorrow you probably won't see.