Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Contrasting Regions: NYC vs. Farbrook, NJ Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter. Paragraph)

Quote #4

"No, thanks," my father said. "I'm looking forward to cutting it myself. That's one of the reasons we moved out here. Gardening is good for the soul." My mother beamed. They were really driving me crazy with all that good-for-the-soul business. I wondered when they became such nature lovers! (2.129)

Have your parents ever changed in ways that confuse you? It seems like Margaret's parents' passion for yard work has come completely out of left field.

Quote #5

"But they have food in New Jersey, Grandma."

"Not this kind."

"Oh yes," I said. "Even delicatessen."

"No place has delicatessen like New York!"

I didn't argue about that. Grandma has certain ideas of her own. (3.32-36)

Hey Grandma Sylvia—Farbrook is so close to NYC that Margaret's dad commutes there to work, which probably means the food isn't too different.

Quote #6

I hoped he decided I was normal, after all. I lived in New York for eleven and a half years and I don't think anybody ever asked me about my religion. I never even thought about it. (6.11)

She hasn't physically moved far from New York, but culturally there are lots of differences between Margaret's old home and Farbrook… religion may be the biggest one, though.