How we cite our quotes: (Section.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Leroy Moffit's wife, Norma Jean, is working on her pectorals." (1.1)
The story starts off with a bang, opening with a scene of Norma Jean lifting weights. Not only does this grab readers' attention, it also marks the first stage of her transformation—making her body stronger and harder.
Quote #2
"First you have a topic sentence," she explains to Leroy." (5.2)
This quote might sound pretty mundane, but trust us—it matters. It is here we see Norma Jean embarking on the second stage of her transformation—the improvement of her mind.
Quote #3
"It was Marilyn Monroe's real name." (6.9)
Norma Jean's name relates to the theme of transformation. Just as Norma Jean Mortenson (aka Marilyn Monroe) transformed herself from a nobody to a famous movie star, Norma Jean Moffatt is developing a new identity. It might just be the closest thing to an extreme makeover you're going to find in 1970's American minimalist literature, so savor it, folks.
Quote #4
"Recently Norma Jean has been cooking unusual foods—tacos, lasagna, Bombay chicken." (5.9)
Norma Jean's culinary experiments suggest she may be yearning for faraway places and/or an openness and curiosity about the world beyond Western Kentucky. Calgon, take her away!
Quote #5
"I feel eighteen again. I can't face that all over again." (7.29)
This is what Norma Jean says as she tries to explain to Leroy why she's leaving him. His being home again reminds her of the early days of their marriage, a time when she had no control over her life and did things to please her mother and her husband, but not herself. It was also a painful time, when she had to get married because she was pregnant…and then lost her baby to SIDS. Now she's choosing to grow up and take her destiny into her own hands. You. Go. Girl.