How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Thomas was thirteen years old today and never in his life had he been so far from home. (1.13)
Happy birthday, Thomas! Since Thomas is moving to a new place on his birthday, his birthday really signals the start of a new life. His official entrance to teen-hood is exciting, but also a little sad because he's already a little homesick.
Quote #2
In Civil War times it had been one of the houses on the Underground Railroad system, which was a resting and hiding place for slaves fleeing through the North to Canada. (2.4)
The Drear house shows that a house can be even more than a home; it can also be a symbol of freedom, kindness, and decency.
Quote #3
"But is it true that no one has lived in the house for more than three months in the last hundred years?" (2.29)
Mr. Small admits this is true, but gets mad before he has time to answer Thomas's questions about why. As we learn later, the Darrows might have had something to do with it – or, maybe it really is haunted. Since the story only lasts four days, we don't know if the Smalls make it past the three month mark. Maybe the sequel The Mystery of Drear House gives the answer.
Quote #4
The house of Dies Drear loomed out of the mist and murky sky, not only gray and formless, but huge and unnatural. (3.6)
This is from Thomas's point of view – his first impression of the house. The words "formless" and "unnatural" are in keeping with Thomas's haunted house fantasy (or reality!).
Quote #5
"Thomas Small!" his mother said. "What in heaven's name to do you think you are doing inside that wall?" (4.80)
Thomas's new home includes hidden passageways and moving walls. Thomas gets stuck in one of them when he's lost under the house. These novelties were necessities in the time of Dies Drear – they helped running slaves hide from bounty hunters and others who wanted to take them back to slavery.
Quote #6
Automatically, Thomas let his mind redo the walls and ceiling in bright earth colors. (8.69)
Thomas, always the artist, is using his imagination to try to make the new house a home.
Quote #7
Maybe we'll bring some folks home with us. They'll sit in the parlor with Papa. (9.15)
For Thomas, a home is something to be shared with other people from the community.
Quote #8
You could live here forever, [Thomas] thought. Forever and forever. You could get a bicycle and let all kinds of dogs chase after you down these roads.
Thomas is beginning to feel really at home in the new town. Forever is a really long time.
Quote #9
"Is that all we're made of? […] Are we to let fools run us out of this historic house, our home? […] Whoever thought to make us run doesn't know what we are made of!" (12.27-12.58)
Mr. Small feels that home is something to be protected, valued, and even fought for. Notice that he says "historic home." Living in a house involved in the Underground Railroad is his life dream. That's part of why he's so attached to it.
Quote #10
"Odd isn't it, Mr. Small, that the son and daughter of running slaves would find peace in the very sort of caves running slaves hid in?" (15.24)
Mayhew is pointing out the irony that Mr. Pluto and Mayhew's mother made a peaceful home out of what was once a shelter for running slaves, who had no home and very little peace.
Quote #11
"Child! […] You'll come tomorrow and maybe I'll feel like riding in the buggy. You want to still ride with a poor old soul?"
"Yes!" (15.58-15.59)
Pesty helps make Mr. Pluto's home a happy one. Moments like this you can see how much they care for each other.
Quote #12
"I felt closer to him tonight than I think I ever have." (19.55)
Mayhew and his father have had a difficult relationship for a very long time. Now they are beginning to "come home" to each other.
Quote #13
"You love it here," Thomas said. "How come you go away from it?"
"That's my secret, my friend," said Mayhew. "Not all questions can have answers to be said out loud." (18.67-18.68)
Mayhew has probably made his own home in the city where he lives, and he also probably is at home on the road. He's an actor in plays, and probably spends lots of time travelling to different shows. There are also more painful and personal reasons he doesn't live there. What do you think they might be?