How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph) or (Page Number)
Quote #1
She comes toward him, screaming that he is a bad boy, and Charlie runs to his father for help. (10.75)
Everything's coming up Roses… by which we mean that here we get a primer on the Gordon family dynamics when little Charlie tries to get his dad to protect him from his scary mom, Rose.
Quote #2
Why does a memory like that from childhood remain with me so strongly, and why does it frighten me now? Is it because of my feelings for Alice? (11.85)
Why does getting lovey-dovey with Alice bring up some capital-E emotions for Charlie? Does he see her as wife material?
Quote #3
And I treated you like my own son who gave up his life for his country. (11.203)
Sure Mr. Donner gave Charlie a job, but it's a bit rich to suggest he's Charlie's replacement daddy. Then again, Charlie's dad didn't do a whole lot of parenting himself, so maybe a guy who lets Charlie get mocked by the bakery employees is an accurate—if totally unfortunate—substitute.
Quote #4
I wanted to overcome my emotional and sexual fears, to marry, have children, settle down. (12.126)
Charlie wants a white picket fence, too. Sure Charlie wants a family, but he knows he's got a long way to go emotionally before that's possible.
Quote #5
As she made that protective gesture, I saw the second double image: my mother, heavy with my sister, in the days when she was holding me less, warming me less with her voice and touch, protecting me less against anyone who dared to say I was subnormal. (12.130)
Lots going on here. Right after Charlie thinks about having sex with a strange woman, she suddenly reminds him of his mom. Oedipus complex much? And it sounds like things were a lot better before sissy entered the picture.
Quote #6
"Wait, Ma!" Charlie is confused at being restrained this way. He has no sense of what is being done to him, but there have been other doctors who were not so gentle after his parents left the room. (13.139)
Parents are supposed to be protectors, and, uh… that's not happening here. Do you think Rose is justified in her actions if she truly wants to help Charlie?
Quote #7
When you've got a child like him it's a cross, and you bear it, and love it. (13.143)
There we go with the religious imagery again. We don't know if Rose is religious, but she clearly sees raising Charlie as some sort of sacrifice.
Quote #8
And other times there would be tenderness and holding-close like a warm bath, and hands stroking my hair and brow, and the words carved above the cathedral of my childhood: He's like all the other children. He's a good boy. (14.168)
Does Charlie cherish his few good memories of childhood? Or does he try to get rid of them altogether?