How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
In a moment, his older son Paul came out, closing the door carefully behind him. Paul, at fifteen, was a quiet, hardworking boy, rather clumsy in his movements but strong and careful about his chores. In a few seconds, he was followed by his younger brother Billy, who at age twelve was noisy and had an annoying habit of skimming rocks across the gross at anything that moved. (5.4)
This is one of the few glimpses of the FitzGibbon's family life. It's important because it shows the FitzGibbons as a family—rather than an evil set of enemies! Of course, it also complicates matters because we mostly are asked to see them as enemies.
Quote #2
"I'm Timothy's mother. If you, and Arthur, and others in your group can take risks to save him, surely I can too." (13.52)
This mama is serious about protecting her babies. Her willingness to put herself at risk is impressive to the rats, who begin to take her much more seriously after this declaration.
Quote #3
As she hurried home, Mrs. Frisby considered just how much she should tell her children about all that happened. She decided at this stage, at least, she would not tell them about their father's connection with the rats. (20.13)
This probably makes sense, given that Mrs. Frisby does not know the full story about NIMH yet and she is really stressed out about Timothy. But we wonder if it is fair of her to hoard secrets like this. Don't these kiddos deserve to know the whole story?
Quote #4
That afternoon Mrs. Frisby told the children that she must leave them to confer again with the rats […] When she thought of the danger she would face in just a few more hours, she wanted to kiss them all goodbye. But knowing that Timothy, at least, was already suspicious, she did not dare; but told them only that they should not worry if she was a little late getting home for supper. (20.28)
Family is everything to Mrs. Frisby; even when her life is in danger, she is focused on trying to make things easier for her children. A mother's love is priceless, huh?
Quote #5
They could stay in the house now, as long as they needed to. On some warm day later in the spring, when Timothy was strong again, they could move to the summerhouse down by the brook. (26.2)
Yay for the Frisbys. But, even though we're doing a total happy dance that the Frisbys get to keep their house, at the same time, we're biting our nails that the rats will have an equally happy outcome.
Quote #6
[The house] could be theirs forever, thanks to the rats. (26.2)
One of the more loveable qualities that the animals in this novel share is that they always pay their debts to other characters. It's not surprising that Mrs. Frisby would acknowledge that her good fortune is on account of the kindness of strangers.
Quote #7
They walked to their summer house, taking half a day to do it, strolling slowly and enjoying the fine weather, stopping on the way to eat some new spring weather, stopping on the way to eat some new spring leaves of field cress. (28.8)
Holy irony, Batman: the warm weather terrifies the Frisbys earlier, and now they are having the time of their short lives in it. Amazing what some help from your neighborhood friendly super-rats can do. Considering that the family was living in fear just a few days ago, the image of them strolling along outdoors shows how far they've come.
Quote #8
In the garden they were always alone with themselves, but along the bank of the brook in summer lived five other mice families with their children. (28.9)
Given how close the family is, it doesn't seem like they would mind being "alone with themselves." But things seem great for the family now: new friends to play with, family all around, a waterfront view. But will these new mice see the Frisby kids as outsiders, as the other rats saw the rats of NIMH?