How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
She told them about how balls and promenades and courting weren't allowed, and how they were to keep inside, not even allowed out to the gardens. She told them that the windows would be draped for a year and that they would have to get used to wearing black for a year, too. (4.20)
Mourning sounds like a goth's paradise—lots of wearing black, lots of lingering in the darkness, very little sunlight, antisocial behavior…what's not to like? Well, if you're a young girl who happens to love dancing and is excited about growing up and getting to attend balls, there's plenty not to like. Mourning's not supposed to be fun because it's a reflection of sadness and grief.
Quote #5
"When—when I dance," she said quietly. "When I dance, I—I forget all the—the bad things."
Eve toyed with her spectacles. "Like Mother not being here," she said. (8.91-92)
Clover and Eve sum up the main reason the girls are eager to keep dancing, even though they're not supposed to while in mourning: dancing helps them forget the bad things, like their sadness. Obviously dancing doesn't make their mom any more alive, but it lifts their hearts, which is a good thing, even temporarily.
Quote #6
"It helps to remember," said Clover.
"We will not speak of your mother," said the King. His voice was even, but harder and colder than frozen steel. (12.68-69)
Here Clover's saying that it helps her deal with her sadness about her mom's death if she remembers the good things, like how her mom and dad used to dance the Entwine together. The King's coming from the opposite side, though, since he'd rather they didn't speak of her. We don't think this means that he wants to forget his wife entirely, but rather that dealing with his memories of her while feeling so sad at her death is just too hard at the moment.