How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The road led southwest, toward the streak of pale watery light that glimmered in the leaden sky. The light fell upon the two sad young faces that were turned mutely toward it: upon the eyes of the girl, who seemed to be looking with such anguished perplexity into the future, upon the somber eyes of the boy, who seemed already to looking into the past." (1.1.18)
"Pale" and "watery" aren't exactly words we'd use to describe a romantic sunset. But hey, this is a somber moment between young Carl and Alexandra. It sums up their different attitudes toward life on the Divide; Alexandra is looking with "anguished perplexity" toward what's to come, while Carl is already dwelling bitterly on the past.
Quote #2
Alexandra drove off alone. The rattle of her wagon was lost in the howling of the wind, but her lantern, held firmly between her feet, made a moving point of light along the highway, going deeper and deeper into the dark country. (1.1.33)
We get the sense, here, that Alexandra herself is like her lantern's "moving point of light," travelling forward into a darkness that strikes fear in the hearts of everyone else. She has hope for the future—and that sets her apart.
Quote #3
Like most of their neighbors, they were meant to follow in paths already marked out for them, not to break trails in a new country. A steady job, a few holidays, nothing to think about, and they would have been very happy. It was no fault of theirs that they had been dragged into the wilderness when they were little boys. A pioneer should have imagination, should be able to enjoy the idea of things more than the things themselves. (1.4.1)
Let's face it: not everyone on the Divide chose to live there. Some people there don't really have any dreams, hopes or plans for the future, unless they include moving away—though it's usually too late for that. Such is definitely the case with Lou and Oscar Bergson, as this passage tells us. They just aren't true pioneers. So, who is?