Sabriel Loss Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

She hesitated, for it was hard to talk about Abhorsen without tears coming to her eyes, then continued quickly, to get it over and done with. (2.62)

When Sabriel first finds out that her father is missing, she finds it really difficult to talk about him. She's trying to believe he's still alive, but a part of her fears for the worst, and she's trying to come to terms with the possible loss of the only parent she's ever known.

Quote #2

Sabriel stared at the wreckage, regret and sorrow coursing like influenza in her bones, till the match burnt her fingers. (12.6)

The loss of the enchanted Paperwing affects Sabriel profoundly, because it's partly due to Sabriel's inexperience that the Paperwing crashes. Sabriel can tell that the Paperwing was a labor of love for another Abhorsen long ago, and likens it to the child of that unknown Abhorsen. She also mourns its loss because it reminds her that she's been forced into a situation where she's very unprepared.

Quote #3

For a moment, this news seemed to return Touchstone to his wooden state. He sat frozen, only the slight movement of his chest showing continued life. Then tears started in his eyes, and his head slowly fell to meet his upturned hands. (14.31)

Here Touchstone gets the news that the world that he has known no longer exists because he's been frozen for two hundred years. It's a huge loss to mourn, and it takes him some time to absorb it.