How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Madge and Dorcas never cared even to try to read. Mrs. Lapham could not so much as write her name. "Book larning," she declared, "scalded no pigs." Cilla was so anxious to learn (and teach Isannah) that whenever Johnny read she leaned over the book and shaped the words to herself as he said them. They sat beside each other at table. To help her Johnny always kept a finger on the lines as he read. (1.2.10)
This is one of the first times we see some quality in Cilla that sets her apart from the rest of the Lapham family. Why do you think Cilla is so anxious to learn to read?
Quote #2
The Laphams took no newspaper, but he had heard Mr. Lapham speak of the wicked Observer and how it was trying to stir up discontent in Boston, urging the people to revolt against the mild rule of England. The comical little painted man looked so genial, so ready to welcome anyone, that Johnny stepped in.
[…]
He saw the squat, buglike printing press, the trays of type, the strings on which printed sheets were hung to dry like clothes on a line. On a workbench was a smaller press for notifications, proclamations, broadsides, trade cards. Everything smelled of printers' ink. (3.1.16,18)
The Boston Observer's image is rather silly, especially when compared to the newspaper's serious purpose. Why might Uncle Lorne have chosen this image for his newspaper? How does it affect how you view the Boston Observer?
Quote #3
Johnny was disappointed when Rab told exactly how he had got Cilla to court that day. It was not half so exciting a story as Johnny had expected. Rab had simply shown Mrs. Lapham a letter signed by Governor Hutchinson and stamped with the Great Seal of the Colony. It had been sent to Mr. Lorne, commanding him and the other printers of Boston to quit their seditious, rebellious publications—or else. Mrs. Lapham could not read. All Rab had done was to take Cilla by the arm, unfurl the letter at Mrs. Lapham, point to the seal and say, "Governer's orders." (5.1.2)
This passage is interesting for a couple of reasons. First, we see how the ability to read gives Rab power over the illiterate Mrs. Lapham—and puts her at a serious disadvantage. Second, Rab uses something meant to hurt the rebellion as a tool. Are there any other points in the novel where the Whigs use something meant to stop them as a tool to fan the flames of rebellion?