How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
He had never disobeyed the order to hide. (1.2)
Well, that's a good way to start off, a nice obedient pre-teen. However, as Luke gets older, he's about to disobey big time.
Quote #2
"And then, when those people move in, I have to stay away from the windows?" Luke asked, though he knew the answer.
The question made Dad explode. He slammed his hand down on the table.
"Then? You gotta stay away now!" (1.13-15)
Pick your words wisely, Luke. Or be super aware of your audience. Mr. Garner isn't going to allow any of that standing by the window nonsense. Not now, not ever.
Quote #3
There was a law against Luke.
Not him personally--everyone like him, kids who were born after their parents had already had two babies. (2.1-2)
Welcome to the law-breakers club, Mr. and Mrs. Garner. This raises an important point: even though the law is against Luke, he's not actually the one breaking it. So why is his life in danger?
Quote #4
Luke fled up the stairs. He wanted to stomp, angrily, but he couldn't. No noise allowed. In his room, he hesitated, too upset to read, too restless to do anything else. He kept hearing You stay hidden. That's an order, echoing in his ears. (8.26)
The Government isn't the only one handing out orders: Luke's dad makes it very clear what the rules are. The difference is, Luke's dad is just watching out for Luke. Er, wait. Doesn't the Government claim that it's watching out for its citizens? Hm.
Quote #5
Luke couldn't bring himself to confess. He'd broken so many taboos today, leaving the house, standing in the open yard, talking to a stranger. Why did one more violation matter? (15.10)
Hey, if you're going get wet, might as well go swimming. Breaking rules—like lying—is one of those things that tends to start the snowball effect. Don't say we didn't warn you.
Quote #6
"Sure," Jen said. "Mostly. But my parents are very good at bribery. And so am I." She grinned wickedly. (15.47-48)
Well, this is an interesting development. So, does breaking the law and then bribing authorities to get out of it count as a double crime? Or do they negate each other and break even? Either way, Jen lets Luke in on Baron strategy for getting away with breaking the law—have a lot of money.
Quote #7
"Haven't you learned? Government leaders are the worst ones for breaking laws." (16.61)
Totalitarian governments go with hypocrisy like peanut butter and jelly. Seems like if you have enough money, you can just buy the law—up to a point. All the money in the world can't save Jen.
Quote #8
"You don't even know, do you?" she asked. "You don't know why they passed the Population Law."
"N-no," Luke admitted.
"It's all about food," Jen said. (17.64-66)
The Population Law might seem arbitrary, but according to Jen there's a reason. Rules are easier to follow if there's a good reason for them—unfortunately.
Quote #9
"When I was little, Mom used to take me to a play group that was all third children," Jen said. She giggled. "The thing was, it was all Government officials' kids. I think some of the parents didn't even like kids--they just thought it was a status symbol to break the Population Law and get away with it." (21.23)
Look, normally we frown on breaking the law, but it's hard to get too upset about this little playgroup. Third children for everyone!
Quote #10
"Without dogs and cats, there's more food for humans. My dad says if it weren't for the Barons breaking the law, lots of species would have gone extinct." (21.30)
We're not sure how much human food animals would be eating anyway (or if people are scarfing down puppy chow) but at least some good came out of the Barons breaking that law. And for that, Cujo thanks them.