How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Although she was a widow (her husband had died only the preceding summer), Mrs. Frisby was able, through luck and hard work, to keep her family—there were four of them—happy and well fed. (1.3)
At this point we don't yet know how tough as (tiny) nails Mrs. Frisby is. It seems like this kind of underestimates Mrs. Frisby, who we later learn has a whole bunch of tricks up her sleeves… if she were wearing any.
Quote #2
Cat territory.
She climbed up the tunnel, emerging whiskers first, and looked around warily. The air was sharp, and there was frost thick on the ground and on the dead leaves. (1.7-6)
It's not only the air that will be "sharp" if Dragon gets Mrs. F. The narrator makes sure we know just how much danger she is putting herself in in order to save Timothy.
Quote #3
She looked at the sun; it was setting behind the trees. She thought of Timothy, and of the medicine she was carrying. Yet she knew she could not leave this foolish crow here to be killed. (3.22)
Foolish is the right word to describe Jeremy, but hey, don't we all like shiny things? What matters here is that Mrs. Frisby has done a favor for the crow, and Jeremy definitely repays Mrs. Frisby later. That's friendship.
Quote #4
"Just the same, I am in debt to you. If the time ever comes when I can help you, I hope you will ask me. My name is Jeremy. Ask any crow […] and he will find me." (3.57)
Jeremy has always seemed like sort of a birdbrain, but this birdbrain seems like he's making pretty good sense here. Unlike the sacrifice that Mrs. Frisby makes for Jeremy, though, Jeremy's sacrifice does not put him in harm's way. So is that an even trade?
Quote #5
Mrs. Frisby was afraid.
Then she thought of Timothy […] She told herself she had no choice. If there is a chance the owl might be able to help me, I must go. (6.38-39)
Mrs. Frisby may think she doesn't have a choice, but in reality, she does have one. Her choice just happens to be a very hard one and one that she can't imagine not making, because that's the kind of brave mouse-lady she is.
Quote #6
Timothy was down below, taking a nap and had not been told about the expedition lest he worry and blame himself for the risk his mother must take. (7.1)
Timothy is the weakest of the Frisby kids, but we can't help feeling worried for all of Mrs. Frisby's children. They're all at risk with Mrs. Frisby out on her expedition. But, hey, we get the feeling that they would all do the same for each member of their family.
Quote #7
"If you need me again, just ask. After all, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here to ask." (8.65)
Another kernel of wisdom from Jeremy! These characters never forget a debt.
Quote #8
"It's just—the Plan. For where we're going to live and all that. She doesn't like it because she says it's too hard—no more electric lights, no more refrigerator, no more running water." (12.43)
This touches on another big theme in the book: that sacrifice isn't always easy. It's hard to watch the rats give up everything they've got to chase a dream, but they know that the Plan is the right way for them to live.
Quote #9
"But you should know that the danger is great. It was in the same kitchen yesterday, running from Dragon's bowl, that Mr. Ages got his leg broken. And it was doing the same thing, last year, that your husband died." (13.54)
Wowsers! This would make lesser mice turn tail and run back into the walls. But knowing what a dangerous task she is up against only makes Mrs. Frisby more determined not to let anyone else sacrifice themselves for her family. That's just the kind of mouse she is.
Quote #10
"Mrs. Frisby, it seems that you have more than repaid us for the help we gave you in moving your house. Just as your husband did once, you have saved us from a disaster: death or capture—we do not yet know which." (26.18)
If karma were dollars, these woodland creatures would be rich. It just goes to show—what goes around comes around, and this is a major pattern in the book. In which case, Dragon better watch his back.