Compassion and Forgiveness Quotes in I Know This Much is True

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

Seeing [Ray] like this—white-haired and vulnerable, a snoring corpse—I was filled with an unexpected sympathy for the guy. (11.37)

It's easy to feel compassion for someone when they're basically harmless. If Ray were still able to scream, yell, abuse, and torment, Dominick probably wouldn't be having these fluffy feelings for his stepfather.

Quote #2

"When you say, 'I know that,' do you mean you understand it intellectually or that you can feel the fear and frustration as he must feel it?" (15.290)

Dr. Patel tries to get Dominick to dig a little deeper, past understanding, and try to get to true empathy.

Quote #3

"I'm only attempting, as much as possible, to map your brother's past and present realities. To become him, as it were—try on his skin." (15.307)

Dr. Patel doesn't just talk the talk, she walks the walk. She's not only trying to get Dominick to empathize with Thomas, she's trying to do the same herself. She isn't just scribbling notes in a notebook, she's trying to understand.