How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
But the muscles of her arm betrayed her. The silver mirror changed direction. It struck Cassandra's left hand with such violence that the mirror glass cracked. Four bones shattered, and the back of her hand began to ooze blood from a dozen cuts. (P.27)
As much as Cassandra wants to destroy the phoenix-stone, she cannot because it has too strong of a hold on her. She is too attached to the dark power that it gives her, so she cannot smash it.
Quote #2
It occurred to Lizzie Rose that it would be easy to hit him. It would serve him right, and he was certainly within range. She pushed the tempting idea aside and reached for the poker. "I'm going to stir up the fire," she whispered. "You're cold as ice." (10.7)
Lizzie Rose makes being good look easy, but inside, it's a little more complicated. She has moments where she wants to smack Parsefall for being mean to her, too, but she tries to opt for kindness each time.
Quote #3
He reached in his pocket and took out the automaton watch. It was almost nine o'clock, and he wanted to see the hour strike. He cherished a childish fancy that someday the machinery might jam so that the wolf could capture its prey. He imagined the tiny jaws tearing at the swan's feathers; he pictured drops of ruby-bright blood, smaller than grains of sand. (14.4)
Grisini is such a bloodthirsty man that he even roots for the wolf, which is chasing a swan, on his automaton watch. He's never on the side of good and always wants the predator to win.
Quote #4
"Will you lock the door after you leave?" entreated Lizzie Rose. "In case he wakes up—and is angry—?"
"I'll lock you in," promised Mrs. Pinchbeck. "No matter what 'appens, you'll be safe from him tonight." (15.79-80)
Mrs. Pinchbeck might be dramatic (and often drunk), but she's really good-hearted when it comes down to it. She decides to protect the children instead of Grisini, even though he's the one who pays the rent.
Quote #5
He made a small, impatient gesture. "I told you: I was experimenting. There was an accident. A child died." He saw her features contort in a grimace of disgust. "What, are you shocked? Have you grown sentimental? Magic power cannot be had for nothing. There must always be some sacrifice. You of all people should know that." (19.22)
Cassandra is a pretty mean old woman, but even she is disgusted by Grisini and his "experiments." He's truly evil and doesn't even seem to care that he's hurt and killed so many children.
Quote #6
He gobbled every crumb, sucked the sugar from his fingers, and despised himself for his greed. Lizzie Rose would scarcely have believed that her adopted brother possessed so tender a conscience: Clara knew better. She recognized guilt, even when it was only a shadow in someone else's mind. (25.4)
Lizzie Rose thinks that Parsefall doesn't care when he's being bad, but Clara knows the truth: Parsefall does have his own moral compass. He wants to do the right thing, but it's hard to share when there's so much scarcity in his life.
Quote #7
He thanked God he had not gone to the police station, as he had threatened to do. The girl might be telling the truth, after all; the photograph of Charles Augustus might have been stolen by Grisini, or even by the boy in Ebury Square. Perhaps if he questioned her a second time—kindly and patiently—she might tell him the truth about the matter. At the very least, he could apologize for his rash behavior, provide money for her immediate wants, and make sure the beefy fellow left her alone. (29.19)
Even though Dr. Wintermute had wanted to act in anger toward Lizzie Rose, he ends up listening to the better part of himself—the part that feels compassion toward the poor girl. He can't just lash out at her because he's terrified by his daughter's disappearance.
Quote #8
With all the strength she could muster, she thought the words she wanted to say:
Lizzie Rose! Listen to me! There's danger! Madama's a witch, and the fire opal's evil! Don't let her trick you into taking it! Whatever you do, don't take it! (33.6-7)
Clara is just a little girl stuck in a puppet's body, but she's determined to stand up to the evil that threatens her dear friends, Lizzie Rose and Parsefall. She's not going to let them fall for Cassandra's schemes if she can help it.
Quote #9
Lizzie Rose had made up her mind to behave like the youngest daughter in the fairy tales she loved. The youngest daughter always preferred the humblest gift: a rose instead of a diamond, a blessing instead of a fortune. Things always seemed to turn out so well for her. (36.1)
Even in the face of abject poverty and hunger, Lizzie Rose refuses to become greedy. She won't even take any of the expensive, fine things that Cassandra offers her, instead asking for just a few books and a pretty little picture.
Quote #10
Then the old woman opened her eyes. "You're good," she said flatly. It was not a compliment but an accusation. "Gaspare lied. He said you were deceitful. You're good, God help you, and God help me. Horribly, inconveniently good." (36.60)
When Cassandra realizes that Lizzie Rose is good—and that it's not an act—she knows that the girl will never steal the phoenix-stone. She's too unadulterated and pure to be tempted by such an evil stone.