Inkheart Memory and the Past Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"Tell me about her," she said quietly. "I don't mean the made-up stories you used to tell." (29.20)

Meggie learns the truth about her mother's disappearance and decides to ask about who her mother actually was, thus gaining insight into the past. Of course Meggie already had an idea about who her mom was based on all the fantastic stories Mo has told her about her mom being on a strange journey that's lasted nine years already—but a made-up past doesn't count as real… or does it?

Quote #8

"Capricorn… He has another name, too, of course, but even he doesn't remember it. He has called himself Capricorn since he was fifteen, after the star sign under which he was born." (34.37)

Fenoglio's insights into Capricorn's past are interesting, to say the least. Of course Capricorn has a background like most other people: mother, father, rough childhood, etc. But for Capricorn to reinvent himself so thoroughly that he doesn't even remember his birth name? Wow. That's pretty unusual. Gotta give it to Capricorn for being driven enough to reinvent his own past.

Quote #9

"Before you read, I want you to have a good look at my photographs… Do you see all those faces? Every one of those people made an enemy of Capricorn, and none of them was ever heard from again." (48.60-62)

Mortola has a bizarre and disturbing hobby: collecting photos of the people who get in Capricorn's way. If Capricorn doesn't have them killed, Mortola takes care of it behind the scenes. Hers is one dark and twisted way of remembering the past: memorializing all your enemies after their deaths.