How we cite our quotes: Chapter.Paragraph
Quote #7
"Friends see most of each other's flaws. Spouses see every awful last bit. If she punished a friend of a few months by throwing herself down a flight of stairs, what would she do to a man who was dumb enough to marry her?" (39.36)
This statement from Hilary Handy, the original Noelle Hawthorne, is pretty frightening. Amy physically harmed herself and blamed it on Hilary so she could get revenge for the imperfections Hilary saw in her. That's small potatoes compared to framing your husband for murder, but it also shows the roots of Amy's vengeful personality. This isn't something new to her marriage with Nick—it's been going on since she was a teenager.
Quote #8
But it's so very necessary. Nick must be taught a lesson. He's never been taught a lesson! He glides through life with that charming-Nicky grin, his beloved-child entitlement, his fibs and shirkings, his shortcomings and selfishness, and nobody calls him on anything. I think this experience will make him a better person. (32.13)
Do we detect hypocrisy in this statement? Amy was a "beloved" child herself, even if her parents' love was slightly misplaced onto a fictional character. There's no doubt that Amy got the best of everything, being the child of rich, successful authors, and there's also no doubt that she too has lied, been selfish, and done plenty of things no one has called her out on. By her standards, Amy really deserves to have someone frame her for murder.
Quote #9
Amy thinks she's in control, but she's very wrong. Or: She will be very wrong […] I will stay close to her until I can bring her down. I'm the only one left who can do it. Someday she'll slip and tell me something I can use. (59.1, 42)
You know what's funny? Amy's revenge is contagious—once Nick realizes what she's trying to do, and especially once she comes home and they're back on the same turf, he starts playing the revenge game too. Unfortunately for him, though, he's no match for Avenging Amy.