The Art of Racing in the Rain Chapters 26-30 Quotes
How we cite the quotes:
(Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote 1
"Sometimes bad things happen," [Zoë] said to herself. "Sometimes things change. And we have to change too." (27.9)
This seems like a pretty deep to be coming out of the mouth of a five-year-old, and like Enzo, we suspect that someone told Zoë this to help her grapple with the terrible news of her mother's illness and its aftermath.
Quote 2
"Do I have a lawyer?" [Denny] said to himself. "I work at the most prestigious BMW and Mercedes service center in Seattle. Who does he think he's dealing with? I have a good relationship with all the best lawyers in this town. And I have their home phone numbers." (29.121)
Sometimes money isn't as important as social standing, and in this case, Denny can use his job to his advantage by maintaining a good relationship with the lawyers who have the fancy cars he maintains. Sneaky move, Denny, but we like it. Sometimes connections can get you everywhere.
Quote 3
"Today is the first day I am not dead," Eve said, "And we're having a party." (27.12)
It's important that Eve says that she "is not dead," not that "she doesn't feel dead." It could mean that she has felt dead up until this point, and now that she knows she will die, she isn't dead, because death isn't the end. That seems ironic—and really sad.
Quote 4
I was on that squirrel and it had no chance. I was ruthless. My jaws slapped down on it, cracking its back, my teeth ripped into its fur and I shook it to death after that, for good measure, I shook it until I heard its neck snap in two. (28.10)
Obligatory yuck aside, this is a scene of death that's meant to alleviate the pain of another death. Enzo doesn't know how to react to the news of Eve's death, so he does the first thing that comes to mind, which is apparently to kill and eat a squirrel.
Quote 5
Oh the joy! Denny and me and our BMW, driving all day and into the evening like a couple of banditos running from the law, like partners in crime. It had to be a crime to lead such a life as we led, a life in which one could escape one's troubles by racing cars! (26.3)
Enzo toys with the idea that you can outrun your problems, that distance and the speed of movement itself is a kind of freedom. Well, that's all very well and good, but no matter how much we've tried, we've never outrun our problems for very long.
Quote 6
Six months came and six months went and Eve was still alive. Then seven months. Then eight. (27.1)
In this instance, space and time constrict to show overlapping months when Eve's absence passes in a blur of distilled time that doesn't need to be detailed. The glossing over of the six months without Eve hints at the fact that they either barely need mentioning, from Enzo's perspective. They're monotonous. There's no need to describe the lonely, angry pain any more than he already has.
Quote 7
I am not a dog who runs away from things. I had never run away from Denny before that moment, and I have never run away since. But in that moment, I had to run. (28.7)
Right after hearing news of Eve's death, Enzo takes to his doggy paws and bolts, running as far and as fast as he can. His decision to run creates the dual impression that he's running to do something and also trying to out-run his pain.
Quote 8
I missed Eve so much I couldn't be a human anymore and feel the pain that humans feel. I had to be an animal again. (28.10)
To Enzo's mind, humanity also comes at a cost. When he learns of Eve's death, the price is too high for him, and he reverts back to what he calls his baser animal instincts to escape it. Turning off bad feelings sounds like a pretty sweet deal, but do you have to eat a squirrel to do it?
Quote 9
I devoured the squirrel. I had to do it. I missed Eve so much I couldn't be a human anymore and feel the pain that humans feel. I had to be an animal again…I ate the squirrel for Eve. (28.10)
Enzo's disconnect from his "human" thoughts and actions indicates that his pain has engulfed him so thoroughly he can't think straight.