How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The mountains and woods quickly reclosed around her. The trees were all hardwoods now. Light seeped through their foliage as through layers of gauze. No birds sang and no deer or rabbit bolted in front of her. The only things growing along the trail were mushrooms and toad-stools, the only sound acorns crackling and popping beneath Dan's iron hooves. The woods smelled like it had just rained. (3.59)
As Rachel rides her horse into town, she admires the beautiful landscape. This is just one of the passages we get with her at home in nature somehow. We think this is yet another way to contrast her with Serena, who seems bent on cutting down every tree in the state.
Quote #2
The surest sign came at the end of May when Campbell killed a timber rattlesnake while surveying on Shanty Mountain. When Serena heard, she ordered every dead rattlesnake placed in an old applecart next to the stable entrance. No one knew why. (10.3)
Serena may understand nature better than those around her. Instead of just accepting that things are the way they are, she strives to change the order of things. Step (1): Get eagle. Step (2): Train eagle. Step (3): World domination.
Quote #3
"Why is this pretense necessary, gentlemen?" she said. "We know what's going on with these land grabs. You've already run two thousand farmers off their land, that's according to your own census. We can't make people work for us and we can't buy their land unless they want to sell it, yet you force them from their livelihood and their homes." (14.38)
Arguing with the park commission, Serena points out how worthless the park will be. Okay, okay, she's got a dog in the fight, so to speak. But is she right? Is the national park of value to them when there's a depression going on all over the country?