How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
It was quarter to five, because he had to be at the mill at half past seven and before then he had to get the cows and help with milking, eat his breakfast, and walk the three miles to the mill. (10.13)
We're yawning just thinking about this. Getting to the mill is hard enough, even without having chores at home before and after work. But you know Tom: he's determined to improve life for himself and his family, so he does it all without complaint. That puts us folks who whine about a 30-minute commute to shame!
Quote #2
He felt near helpless. The storm now had him all to itself, the way a cat has its mouse. Whichever way he moved the wind had hold of him. The thing was not to stop moving. (13.5)
Tom is fighting his way through a dangerous snowstorm while walking home. He knows he better keep moving or he could freeze to death, but it's a metaphor, too: that don't-stop-moving thing applies to any difficult situation. As Dory from Finding Nemo would say, just keep swimming. Hop over to our "Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory" section to see how the snowstorm represents using hard work and skill to persevere through adversity.
Quote #3
Tom could see the barn as if it was already standing in place. Then suddenly it seemed foolish to him to plan it that way, supposing for some reason he couldn't get it. But Birdy said stoutly that if they couldn't get the Breen barn they'd build another like it out of other timbers. (31.2)
This is a nice little lesson from Birdy on perseverance: if things don't go exactly as you originally planned, you don't give up: you just find a different way and keep going. Birdy, Dory—maybe there's some sort of animal connection here?
Quote #4
"I know this meant a lot to you, Tom. But don't let it get you down. Not too far, anyway." (32.10)
Billy-Bob gives Tom this advice after Tom finds out that someone else bought the Breen property, and Billy-Bob suggests that Tom can make an offer to the barn's new owner. Like Birdy, Billy-Bob encourages Tom to adjust rather than give up when his original plan doesn't pan out exactly as he'd imagined.
Quote #5
It meant waiting through a third winter. (34.1)
Getting the barn does not come fast or easy for Tom. He's been working at the mill for more than two years now, and he's been saving his money, making his plans, and learning about carpentry. It's hard to wait for your dreams to come true, but Tom never gives up.
Quote #6
They spent pretty near the whole afternoon working out how they were going do the job. Birdy suggested that the afternoons when Polly Ann was using Drew to get to and from her house jobs Tom should set out walking to Hawkinsville as soon as the mill closed. He, Birdy, would come along with his team about the time Tom would get across the bridge and ride him up to the Breen place from there. It would save the time waiting to pick Tom up beyond Fisk Bridge. Through most of the summer they ought to get two or more working hours every evening. Sundays they would plan to work all day. It was going to be quite a job, but Birdy saw no reason they could not get it done. (37.6)
As if doing chores at home, walking three miles to and from work, and putting in a full day at the mill weren't enough, Tom now has to pull nights and Sundays to get the barn taken down and built back up. Yikes. The tireless work is a true indication of the relentless effort Tom is willing to put in for his dream.
Quote #7
"Don't run scared, Tom. Most jobs seem a lot bigger than they are until you've got into them. Then they look a lot more possible." (38.9)
Add Mr. Hook to the list of folks who give Tom sage advice about persevering. Even though Tom's been planning to take the barn down and rebuild it on his property for a long time, the task seems pretty darn daunting when it comes time to do it. But Mr. Hook reminds Tom that once he gets started, it won't seem as overwhelming. How's that for a picker-upper?
Quote #8
All his life Drew had objected to having to pull anything more than the lightest load and several times while Tom was piling on the boards he had craned his head around and stared with a bald accusing eye. Now, when Tom climbed onto the seat and took up the lines, Drew closed his eyes, leaned tenderly into the collar, and groaned, but the wagon did not move.
Tom flicked his rump with the whip, sharp enough to make the horse toss his head and snort rebukingly, but he did lurch forward, the wheels turned slowly, and they started home. (42.1-2)
Here's a fun little reminder, courtesy of Drew, the Dolan's horse, that work is hard and we don't usually want to do it, but we have to.
Quote #9
[…] she had to keep on with her days of doing housework for her regular employers, as well as the one day doing washing for the men who worked at Massey's. (44.23)
Tom isn't the only character who displays perseverance. His mom is a great example of persevering too. As a little boy, Tom notices his mother's strong work ethic, and she persists as a hard worker even after Tom gets his own job and begins moving the barn. Do you think Tom would have the same sense of perseverance if not for his mother?
Quote #10
"But I don't see why tonight," she protested. "When we are practically wore out."
"That's why," he answered. "The Flanchers were here nosing around. Yantis begun asking Ox and Mr. Massey why we hadn't brought down the floor for the stable. Yantis may get a notion why I left it. But he wouldn't think of our going up there tonight any more than you did."
Both Polly Ann and Tom have been working nonstop preparing for the barn-raising. You'd think that once it's done they'd be ready to face-plant on bed. But Tom decides this is the night to go up to the Breen place and look for the money under the old barn floor, and they hit the jackpot. Are they just lucky to find the money, or can we interpret this as the book's nod to the rewards of perseverance?