How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Pemberton took one final step, the hunting knife's blade flat as he slipped it inside Harmon's coat and plunged the steel through shirt cloth and into the soft flesh above the older man's right hip bone. He grabbed Harmon's shoulder with his free hand for leverage and quickly opened a thin smile across the man's stomach. A cedarwood button popped free from Harmon's soiled white shirt, hit the plank floor, spun a moment, and settled. Then a soft sucking sound as Pemberton withdrew the blade. For a few moments there was no blood. (1.81)
Killing Harmon in a duel, Pemberton doesn't seem to care one way or the other if the guy survives. It's a riveting opening scene for us to dissect, especially since we don't know any of the characters yet. Makes us think this Pemberton guy isn't the most moral of all dudes out there. (And we're not wrong.)
Quote #2
"Will he still be a foreman?" Campbell asked.
"Yes, for the next two weeks," Serena said, looking not at Campbell but Pemberton.
"And then?"
"He'll be fired," Pemberton told the overseer. "Another lesson for the men." (2.156-159)
We should point out that Campbell wants to give Bilded his pay for the next two weeks, but Serena and Pemberton insist on letting the guy go. Right away, we can see a contrast between the upper class's principles and how the lower class (Campbell) behaves.
Quote #3
"Saved by a woman," Serena added, "and thus honor bound to protect that woman and do her bidding the rest of his life." (18.55)
Galloway's mom predicted he'd be saved by a woman and it turns out she was right. We expect for Galloway to be axed (get it?) as well, but instead Serena insists on keeping him around. There is some honor among thieves, so long as it can benefit Serena in some way.