How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Seeing the reverend on the other side of that six-foot hole reminded me that I was "sister of the the deceased"—a fancy title for someone who stands quietly, holds her tongue, and maintains a mournful attitude. (1.3)
We can't think of a description less fitting for Georgie than the one given here. How does Georgie see her role as the "sister of the deceased"? How is it the same as or different from the role others expect her to play?
Quote #2
There was a long pause, then Agatha sighed and turned to face me. She grabbed my hand. "Listen to me, Georgie. I love you. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I always love you."
I blinked, confused. "I know. I love you too." (3.43-44)
If we know our foreshadowing, we know a conversation like this means something's about to change, and usually not for the better, at least not for the person on the receiving end. Agatha's about to skip town, for sure—we could've told Georgie that.
Quote #3
Ma gave me jobs like retrieving the canned delicacies from the cellar: fancy tins of tangerines, olives, smoked herring, Japanese green tea, lobster, and the like. I was to remove the dented ones (setting them aside for Ma to inspect) and polish up the rest. I was to do this on the back stoop—a place she wasn't likely to be.
Fine, I thought. I can do without you too. (5.3-4)
Georgie and her mother are getting on each other's nerves in a big way, largely because neither of them agrees with how the other is responding to Agatha's death. What is it about grief that damages relationships among surviving family members who otherwise love each other?
Quote #4
How she persisted in her kindness when I could not stand the sight of her I do not know. I felt a flash of shame, not only because of my behavior over the past few days, but because beginning tomorrow morning she would not find me. (5.10)
Uh-oh… Sounds like Georgie's about to pull an Agatha and skip town. You'd think she'd understand what it feels like to be on the receiving end of a disappearance like this. Does she ever consider the effect her leaving might have on a mother who just lost one daughter?
Quote #5
He put his hand on my head. "Figures it was you that got this bird."
Ma glanced between the two of us. "You spoil that child," she said to Grandfather Bolte. (6.80-81)
Georgie and Grandfather Bolte have a very close relationship and are very much alike, as both Ma and Agatha point out. Sometimes such similarities drive family members apart, but in this case, it seems to bring them together.
Quote #6
I looked at him. "Did Ma know about this?"
Billy's chin lifted defensively. "Your grandfather was going to tell her."
"I cannot believe it."
Billy held up his hands. "Did you think no one would notice our absence? Your grandfather would follow you in two snaps after what happened to Agatha. I was ready to tell you if you asked." (11.108-111)
We thought the whole time that it was a little odd for Billy just to take off with Georgie without telling her grieving family. How do you feel about Billy's decision to trick Georgie like this? How does it compare to his later confession that he kissed Agatha in the hope of breaking up her thing with Mr. Olmstead? Either way, he was sent by Grandfather Bolte, which is cool.
Quote #7
"Wait here," said Billy. He clucked his tongue at Storm.
"If you go, I go. If anything, you should wait here. This is my journey. She was my sister," I said. (14.10-11)
We don't blame Georgie for getting a little huffy, especially after Billy's already betrayed her once by telling her family where she is. Plus, whether right or not, it makes sense that she feels like this is her time to call the shots—it's Georgie's journey, Billy's just living in it.
Quote #8
Mr. Olmstead's hand reached out and squeezed mine. "I came because your ma asked me to find you. Your grandfather died two days ago."
"Grandfather Bolte?" I said.
But what other grandfather did I have? (19.55-57)
To be honest, we did not see this one coming. Georgie starts her journey thinking she's lost one family member but ends it by losing another. At this point, she still doesn't know Agatha is alive, so it appears she's lost two family members in quick succession. It's a major bummer.
Quote #9
A relative? I knew Ma had relations out in upstate New York. She wrote to them faithfully, once a week. But I never thought I'd see one of those upstaters in the flesh. From what I understood, they considered Wisconsin a wilderness devoid of law, manners, and all proper speech. I would have stared further (and eventually issued a greeting), but Ma grabbed hold of me and kissed me again. (20.25)
With the arrival of Aunt Cleo, Georgie's family circle widens to include those she's never met before. Aunt Cleo quickly fits in with Georgie and Ma, too. Georgie, who is usually a bit prickly about outsiders getting into her family life, is so quick to accept her aunt—perhaps because she's just kind of lost her own sister.
Quote #10
I wanted my sister. I loved my sister.
I did it then—I forgave her… (23.31-32)
Whew. While it seems like Agatha really has no idea what a ruckus she's caused, it also seems like she could have written sooner. Georgie forgives her immediately, but we're not so sure we wouldn't write a letter back that includes a few choice words.