How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Last week, there were 400 people in the Senior Class. Today there are 399. One student became a statistic when he lost his life in an accident involving drinking and driving. Usually, statistics don't mean much, but this statistic had a name, a face, a basketball jersey, and friends. (6.13)
For the seniors at Hazelwood High, this death isn't a statistic, it's their friend that they lost. It hurts all the more because so many of the students—and all of the characters who we get to know—are close with Robbie.
Quote #2
"Anyway, the first day I saw him, he was pickin' his hair out with his red pick and diamond-lookin' things on it. I went over to him, and said, 'Won't yo' mama get mad when she finds out you took her pick?' He slowly put the pick in his back pocket, slowly looked at me, and then proceeded to beat the snot out of me. We've been tight ever since." (7.14)
To his coach, Andy shares about the first time he met Robbie and how they became friends. It's good for us to hear this backstory, but also good for Andy to remember the good times he had with Robbie before the accident.
Quote #3
"It's me, brother. Your main man, Roberto. And yes, I'm cold. Very cold. It's no fun bein' dead."
"I'm sorry, Rob. You know I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Understood, my man. But when're you comin' to keep me company?" (21.67-69)
Dreaming about Rob, Andy thinks about how close he was to his buddy. He also imagines how lonely Robbie is without him in heaven, which only makes him feel guiltier.
Quote #4
These are some of the things I remember about you, your family, and Rob. I will always treasure those days, and I will never forgive myself for destroying something very special. I hope that someday you will be able to forgive me, but if not, I hope you will be able to remember without so much pain. (22.13)
Andy's letter to Rob's parents doesn't pretend to smooth things over. Instead, he focuses on the friendship that he shared with Robbie and all the good times. It's helpful for him to voice this to Robbie's parents so they know the tough time he's going through, too.
Quote #5
"Thank you, boys. Andrew should be proud to have such good friends." (24.35)
When B.J. and Tyrone want to get help for Andy, their counselor tells them they're good friends, but does nothing. It's clear that even the best of friends can't take away someone's pain without the right support themselves.
Quote #6
Without friends, life would be boring, lonely, and meaningless. Nobody comes to high school for the teachers—not really. We come to see our friends. (26.1)
Keisha's essay explains just how important friends are. Sure, we all like to have friends, but she relies on hers for laughs and supportive, plus high school wouldn't be the same without them.
Quote #7
When the bad times come, like when Robbie died, a friend is the most important thing in the world. (26.3)
It's hard to find a true friend who will stick with you through thick and thin. For Keisha, she's found that in her buddies in the class—without them, she wouldn't have been able to deal with Robbie's death. Yet Andy doesn't rely on his friends as much as he does on Keisha.
Quote #8
"Stop me from seein' my best friend? He's in pieces at Spring Grove People Graveyard. I took care of that myself—I killed him—remember? So, you can't hurt me. I deal with big-time hurt every day." (37.46)
Andy's dad chews him out for getting poor grades, and Andy's response is to yell everything he feels back at his dad. He asks what other punishment he can dish out for poor grades—he's punished enough by losing his friend and getting his license revoked.
Quote #9
Andy left without sayin' good-bye and I don't know why. He had friends that cared about him that he didn't ask for help. I feel like he punched me in the gut and I can't hit back. (43.14)
It's not just about Andy anymore; it's also about his friends, and they don't get why Andy wouldn't turn to them for help if he needed it. That's what friends do, right? Now, they're all alone and feeling guilty that they weren't good enough friends to him in a tough time.
Quote #10
You deserted your friends and family—the people who love you the most. Suicide is the coward's way out. Brave men face their problems. So what does that make you? (44.6)
Gerald's letter highlights just how much Andy's death affects the community around him. These are tough words to hear, but it's good for Andy's friends to express their emotions after Andy's suicide.