Quote 1
"Get a trap."
"Me?" said my father.
"You're the male. You're supposed to be the hunter." (17.10-17.12)
Mrs. Coogan is a feminist—at least, that's what we've been led to believe so far. So, what's up with this quote? Is she seriously pawning off this job on her husband because he's the "man of the house," or is there something else going on here?
Quote 2
"Mrs. Linfont found them when she was dust-mopping under your bed today. She said she didn't want to be snoopy, but she thought it was kind of unusual." (38.2)
We know it's the thought that counts, but when Crash, Mr. Tough Guy, buys a pair of red glitter heels for his grandpa, we had to laugh. This is the second casual reference to cross-dressing in the novel, by the way. (Remember Abby co-opting Scooter's old boxer shorts?) Think there's any significance there?
Quote 3
"I quit. Actually, I half quit. I'll still do it part-time, but only on my schedule. The mall can get along without me." (45.5)
Crash's mom decides to spend more time at home after Scooter's stroke. We have two questions for you. First, why do you suppose it's Mrs. C and not Mr. C who makes the decision to cut back on work? And second, do you think her decision had anything to do with Abby's protests of the mall?
Quote 4
"Well, with Scooter home now—" She squeezed my shoulder, stared into my eyes. "Now really, would you rather have my money or my time?"
"Your money." (45.7-45.8)
It's totally unclear if Crash is joking with his mother here, by the way. What do you think? Does he mean it about the money? In any case, he seems to appreciate having her at home…eventually.
Quote 5
"He wasn't home very much in those days, so when I did see him, I looked and looked at him until he was locked into my mind's eye." (48.15)
We learn that Scooter was away at sea for much of Mrs. Coogan's childhood. How does she seem to feel about that situation? Explain your answer.
Quote 6
"There was a minute back then when I was actually afraid you might forget what I look like."
[…]
"I know it sounds silly. But that was just before I told my boss I was going part-time." (48.18-48.20)
Mrs. Coogan says all of this to Crash after they find Scooter looking at the portrait she did of him years ago—when she was a kid and he was on one of his frequent sea voyages. She didn't see much of her dad when she was a kid, and she was afraid she'd forget what he looked like, so she painted a picture of him. With that in mind, do you think Mrs. Coogan's fear that her kids might forget what she looks like sounds silly? Why or why not?
Quote 7
My dad smacked the table. "I forgot. Your game. How'd it go? Who won? How'd you do?"
Suddenly I didn't feel like telling them. I chewed some stew. I shrugged. "Scored six TDs." (19.50-19.51)
Crash was thrilled about his performance in the football game, but by the time his parents get around to asking about it, his joy has turned into sadness. What is it about his dad's reaction that makes him shut down?