How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
And I always have to make up a reason about how I hurt myself. When Andy came back to school after the accident, he was wearing a bunch of Band-Aids. At least it took the attention away from me for a while. (9.4)
Gerald feels isolated protecting his secret—that his stepdad beats him. He doesn't want to hide it any longer, but he knows there'll be tough times ahead if he opens up about it. Plus, no one gets what he goes through. Sure, his buddies try to help out, but they don't really know how.
Quote #2
"He's been real moody lately, Coach. Sometimes he just likes to be alone. He don't talk to us like he used to." (10.4)
Andy's friends tell the coach that he's been pushing them away ever since the night of the accident. Andy might feel like no one cares about him when he commits suicide, but in reality, he isolates himself from his closest friends.
Quote #3
"It's hard for us to understand why things like this happen, and I think you're doing a remarkable job of handling a very rough situation. You came back to the team, you're playing well—and we all support you. You know that. Actually, you are the glue that's holding the team together. Without you, we'd all fall apart." (10.31)
Coach Ripley tells Andy not to blame himself for everything that's happened. Instead, he encourages him to be a part of the community of the team. The opposite of isolation is definitely being on a team and working together, which is what the coach wants for Andy.
Quote #4
With no friends to talk to or to go places with, life can be very lonely. It's sad to be alone—wanting to share your thoughts with a friend and having no one there, except maybe your little brother or sister, to be with. Sometimes I feel so alone I just want to cry. (26.2)
Keisha's essay talks about how tough life would be without friends. She thinks about her friends as her lifeline, helping her out during the tough times, and making her laugh no matter what. Andy, on the other hand, doesn't notice how important friendships are and cuts them all off when he's dealing with pain.
Quote #5
"Perhaps, but I see other things in his personality that concern me. When he's not causing noticeable disturbances, he's somewhat withdrawn. He's stopped combing his hair, he slumps in his seat, and he keeps his head down on the desk unless I constantly remind him to sit up and pay attention. Is he getting enough sleep at night?" (27.10)
When Andy's teacher calls home and talks to Andy's dad, she says that Andy is super withdrawn these days. He's pulling away from everyone, not letting anyone in, as though he wants to be alone. His dad basically blows this observation off, though.
Quote #6
"I wish you'd quit callin' it 'the unfortunate incident'! It wasn't an 'incident'! It was a crash! A terrible, terrible crash! And it was my fault! You need a dose of reality, Mom. You want to pretend it didn't happen and I can't deal with this by myself." (34.12)
Finally, Andy admits to his mom that he can't deal with the accident alone. He's had Keisha's shoulder to cry on, but that's not around any more. Now, he wants help, but no one knows what to say to make it better.
Quote #7
She told me that she was tired of holding his hand and nursing him through his temper tantrums and crying spells. She said she was glad it was over finally. She didn't have the nerve to break up with him before this. I don't know what Andy is going to do now. She told him they could still be friends, but Andy needs more than that. I feel sorry for him, but I side with Keisha—she ain't no shrink. That dude needs help. (35.5)
Whether Keisha means to or not, she isolates Andy by dumping him. In fairness, she can't be his shrink when she's just in high school—but we also know that Andy needs support from people around him to get through this, and he doesn't get it. Sigh.
Quote #8
So what do I do now? Pray? Cry? Hide under the bed from the monsters that are inside of me? No, I'm just going to sit here and think. I'm goin' to think about why I'm sittin' here on my bed, holdin' my dad's huntin' rifle, feelin' how smooth and cool it feels. (41.1)
Andy thinks about how he feels when he calls and no one can talk to him right before he takes his life. Even though he's spent time pushing his friends away, now he wants them close, but no one is around when he calls… but has he really exhausted his friend resources?
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)
Andy hurts people by isolating himself so much. In fact, when he kills himself, everyone is angry with him and confused by his actions. They've all wanted to be his friend, but he hasn't let them.
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)
In Gerald's letter, we get to see a different side of Andy. We've heard about how he feels being all alone, but here we see that he has people alongside him who want to help, but haven't been given the chance.