How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
The American wife stood at the window looking out. (2)
This is the first image we are given of the American wife and—surprise—she seems kind of bored and restless.
Quote #2
"Oh, I wanted it so much. I wanted a kitty." (20)
After deciding that rescuing the cat might make her feel better, the wife is understandably disappointed when she goes downstairs and it's not where she'd seen it. This is a great moment to think about Hemingway's narrative choices: why does he choose to draw out the wife's dissatisfaction in this way? Also…did this woman really think she could just take this wet, stray cat home to the states with her?
Quote #3
"I wanted it so much," she said. "I don't know why I wanted it so much. I wanted that poor kitty." (29)
The wife's desire to "save" the cat from the rain begins to morph into a sense of "want." She repeats the word three times, which may be due to the fact that she doesn't know why she wants it. The desire to have, to possess, to literally hold that cat is the catalyst to all the desires that follow. Why do you think this is? What is it about that feeling of holding the cat and owning it that appeals to her? What does it have in common with the other things she wants?