How we cite our quotes: (Part.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Ron's getting married!" Julie screamed at me when I came through the door. (5.1)
Ron and Harriet's impending wedding adds to the general romantic atmosphere pervading the story. It also drives Neil to ask Brenda to buy the diaphragm—his "surrogate" (5.34) proposal. Unfortunately, a diaphragm is a lot less romantic than a ring.
Quote #8
"Neil, I called Margaret Sanger Clinic […]. When I was in New York." (6.262)
Brenda tries to salvage the relationship by doing something that makes her uncomfortable. How do you feel about this issue in the context of their relationship? Is there any love going on here, or is it manipulation on both sides?
Quote #9
Let's see, what else did I do? I ate, I slept, I went to the movies. […] I did everything I'd ever done before. […] There was no flow, for that had been Brenda. (8.4)
Neil always misses Brenda terribly whenever he's away from her for two seconds. We learn in the final blowup that this bothers Brenda. But still, we've all felt this way at some time. Part of loving anyone, romantically or not, is the loneliness we feel when they aren't around.