How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
The doctor, I can't remember her name, says something in a calm voice to Nia and doesn't look at me for the rest of the time we're there. (8.24)
At the doctor's office, Bobby mentions that maybe Lamaze would be better for the baby. Nia gets her hackles up, and then calms down. Why might the doctor not look at Bobby? Does Bobby really matter or have a say in how the baby is born? Should he?
Quote #5
And because this is a fairy tale, the hero and his running buddies lay back and talk about battles that they've won and places that they've seen.
There have been a lot of dragons.
More damsels for some than others. (16.34-36)
Bobby describes a perfect day with his friends, using the metaphor of knights and damsels. The images are old-fashioned, and so is the definition in this chapter of what it means to be a man: Men fight; men get glory; men get women. The funny thing is that the archaic image is totally at odds with what Bobby thinks about being a man. It's a lot easier when life is black and white, but that's not how Bobby's life really is.
Quote #6
I want to cry. I want to cry a whole lot these days, and sometimes I do, and this makes me crazy. (18.33)
When Bobby finds out that Nia may be going to Georgia, he's really upset. But he tries not to cry. Is this because he doesn't want to upset Nia, or is it because it's not okay for men to cry? What makes you say this?