Quote 1
"He is our father's father, and he didn't like our mother," said Henry. "So we don't think he would like us. We are afraid he would be mean to us." (1.21)
Here's a little mystery that never gets resolved. Did Mr. Alden really dislike the children's mother? Why did he never visit when the children's parents were alive?
Quote 2
"She asked me if I liked cookies. I said I did, and she gave me one."
"What did you do with it?" asked Benny hungrily.
"When she went back into the kitchen, I put it in my pocket," said Henry laughing. (6.15-6.17)
Instead of eating the cookie when he was alone, Henry pocketed it for later so he could share it with his family. Now, that's a caring big brother. For the record, Shmoop is not so kind to its siblings.
Quote 3
Then Henry began to think of winning the race. He knew how much the twenty-five-dollar prize would mean to Jessie and the rest of the children.
"I am going to win this race!" he said to himself. (10.32-10.33)
Personally, Henry doesn't care if he wins the race; he's just running for fun. But, when he starts to think about his family, he feels more motivated. Twenty-five bucks would make his siblings super happy.
Quote 4
But Henry did not want to start. He looked to see how much money he had. Then he stood thinking.
At last he said, "I don't want to leave you girls alone." (3.39-3.40)
Henry sees himself as his family's protector—at least of the girls. Notice that he doesn't mention Benny, the youngest Alden, who is a boy. It's the girls he doesn't want to leave.
Quote 5
Henry said, "Today I'll go to town and try to get some work to do. I can cut grass or work in a garden or something. Then we'll have something besides milk for breakfast." (5.8)
Providing, like protecting, is another traditionally masculine role that Henry takes on. Fingers crossed he succeeds.
Quote 6
"I bought another loaf of brown bread at the store," said Henry, "and some more milk. Then I bought some dried meat, because we can eat it in our hands." (6.2)
Henry always brings home the food. Jessie always prepares it. It's a division of labor that's literally never discussed.
Quote 7
"If there is someone out in the woods, he knows that there is a dog in this boxcar," said Henry.
He took the new broom in his hand and waited. (6.67-6.68)
Henry and Jessie both admit they're frightened, but Henry is the one who picks up a weapon. Why is it his responsibility to be the family's protector?
Quote 8
"It looks like home," said Henry. "See the washing!" (4.62)
Making the boxcar look like the children's former house helps it feel like a real home.
Quote 9
"I thought we ought to have a tablecloth," he said. "So I got one at the store." (6.26)
Poor Henry—who has about $4 to his name and lives with his three siblings in a rusty box in the woods—thought that a tablecloth was a necessity. We're betting he wouldn't survive the zombie apocalypse.
Quote 10
"A ladle, of all things!" cried Henry. "Where did you get it?"
"I found a tin cup in the dump," said Jessie. "We used a long stick for a handle and tied it to the cup with a piece of wire. It makes a fine ladle." (7.68-7.69)
Mama always said that a ladle made out of trash makes soup taste better. Just kidding. Please don't put trash in your soup. Or, not without cleaning it really well first.
Quote 11
"We'll have to put lots of logs on, with brush between them," said Henry. "We'll put on so many that the water can't get through." (8.21)
When Henry's first attempt at a dam doesn't work, he's not discouraged. He keeps at it until he's built the swimming pool of his dreams.