How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Our happiness is the closest we'll ever come to a generous God, so we figure Tony's parents would understand, if only they weren't set on misunderstanding so many things. (1.1)
Do Tony's parents see God as generous? Does that generosity supply their happiness in the same way their money (indirectly) supplies Tony's?
Quote #2
Tony hesitates—he isn't much of a dancer. But as I've told him a million times, when it comes to true dancing, it doesn't matter what you look like—it's all about the joy you feel. (1.10)
Same with true painting, as Paul finds out later. At what point is feeling joyous not enough to make self-expression beautiful? Will someone who can't dance always appear beautiful doing it, provided they love it enough?
Quote #3
More than anything in this strange life, I want Tony to be happy. We found out a long time ago that we weren't meant to fall in love with each other. But a part of me still fell in hope with him. I want a fair world. And in a fair world, Tony would shine. (1.57)
Tony's parents' unhappiness—if not across the board, then at least with him—prevents him from feeling happiness of his own. And if the previous quote is true, someone who isn't happy can never shine.
Quote #4
The only things I notice around me are the good things—the mesmerizing tunes spilling out through the open door of the record store; the older man and the even older woman sitting on a park bench, sharing a blintz; the seven-year-old leaping from sidewalk square to sidewalk square, teetering and shifting to avoid stepping on a crack. (10.61)
Our internal circumstances color our perception of external circumstances. Our life experience creates the lens through which we see—it's a form of selective noticing.
Quote #5
Sure enough, our paths cross. He seems happy to see me, but I'm not sure he is happy to see me. (15.38)
Why do people who are unhappy feel the need to pretend to be happy? Would the world be more beautiful, if arguably sadder, if we all showed our true feelings?
Quote #6
Shells ring my shadow. I reach over and pick one up, expecting to hear the sea. But the shells are silent. Tony walks by and waves. He looks happy, and I'm glad. (16.7)
Even when Paul is Elsewhere, he's worried about Tony. At least in his imaginary world, Tony gets to be happy.
Quote #7
How do you stay together? I want to ask them, the same way I want to ask my happy parents, the same way I want to go up to old people and ask them, What is it like to live so long? (20.2)
Living harmoniously with another person requires living harmoniously within yourself. How many teenagers do you know who truly have that inner harmony?
Quote #8
I look to the funky puff-couches in the corner and see Cody (my first elementary school boyfriend) hanging with his new boyfriend, whose name is either Lou or Reed. They have sunk into the cushions, sharing a single cup of latte, sip by sip. Happiness rises from them like steam. (20.4)
Okay so we chose this quote partially because it mentions Lou Reed, however we also love the beautiful writing—the rising of the happiness like steam. Unfortunately though, sometimes walking through someone else's latte of happiness only makes you sadder.
Quote #9
Tony's on the phone with Kyle when we get there. Caught up in the happiness of things, I almost tell Tony to invite him over. Then I realize what a colossally awkward move that would be (with Noah there) and keep my big mouth shut. (25.44)
Excellent move, Paul—way to refuse to complicate a situation. We're proud of what you've learned.
Quote #10
I see Noah walking over to me, care in his eyes, a blessed smile on his lips.
And I think to myself, What a wonderful world. (28.7-8)
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong is simultaneously one of the happiest and saddest songs ever. The ending of Boy Meets Boy is similarly bittersweet.