How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"We'd better get home and tell our mamas that we didn't catch any frogs and that Mrs. Clayton could use some tending to." (14.49)
When the girls see Sister Redempta come out from delivering the new Clayton baby, they jump right into action. Even before the town of Manifest starts its healing process, its residents are willing to help each other in times of real need.
Quote #2
There had never been a town meeting before. Normally, each fraternal order would gather in their own hall and discuss their own business. (22.20)
Was it only the language barrier that kept the 1918 citizens of Manifest apart? Or something more?
Quote #3
But with the Hungarian woman's words, they suddenly recognized something in each other. They shared the same blood. Immigrant blood. (22.64)
Miss Sadie's remarks at Shady's town meeting wake the townspeople up. What traits do you think all these immigrants have in common? We're guessing she's not talking about actual blood here…
Quote #4
There was a solidarity among the people in Shady's bar that night, as one by one they emerged from their trenches and ventured into no-man's-land. (22.112)
As they leave from the very first town gathering, the town residents finally feel connected. It's pretty impressive, actually: with World War I raging in Europe, all these nationalities are still able to live together peacefully in Manifest.
Quote #5
"Amen," they said in unison, these citizens of the world, and they held their breath as the many and varied ingredients that had been simmered and stewed, distilled and chilled, were combined to make something new. Something greater than the sum of its parts. (25.76)
The miracle elixir is being compared to the townspeople here. What do you make of this metaphor?
Quote #6
Everyone owned a piece of this town's history. (27.34)
With all the memories Abilene reads through for her contest, she realizes that it's not just Miss Sadie that knows stuff about Manifest's past. Everyone has something to contribute to the story of Manifest. Do you think's hard for an outsider like Abilene to ever really become part of a place where people "own pieces" of its history?
Quote #7
Well, the folks in Manifest weren't really Friends; they were more like acquaintances. (27.19)
Kind of tragic that the residents of Manifest go back to their distant, separate ways, don't you think?
Quote #8
He had been identified as a stranger and felt his sense of belonging slipping away. (29.35)
Poor Jinx. The townspeople are as quick to turn on him when his plan goes wrong as they are to embrace him when it helps.
Quote #9
And in some way I had been allowed into their world. And they had welcomed me. (37.5)
Abilene feels like she was a part of Miss Sadie's stories—not just a passive listener. We'd have to agree. She's so involved in the stories that she regards the characters as her friends, and her being there is what makes the story necessary to begin with.