How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Never but at such times, by necessity, was my father mentioned. I claimed to remember him; Simon denied that did, and Simon was right. I liked to imagine it. (1.20)
Augie isn't entirely aimless—family is especially dear to him. Also, it's interesting that Augie can imagine something specific from his past, but he has a hard time dreaming something concrete for the future. What gives?
Quote #2
"Meanwhile he's got a little Indian girl to tickle and squeeze him."
"Not my son," she said, turning her eyes to the kitchen mirror. (2.32)
Anna Coblin holds on very tightly to her notion of who her son is. She has illusions, and these illusions shape the way she responds to reality. Recall Einhorn's rant against having illusions.
Quote #3
"Simon, you must pull Augie in." (3.39)
Family ties are very important to the culture at this time. You were socially obligated to help family members find work. And you thought it was tough to find a job for yourself—imagine being responsible for all your siblings too.
Quote #4
The Kleins were all gift-givers. (3.69)
What Augie describes here might be called a family culture—values and behaviors shared within a family. Does your family have its own special culture or traditions?
Quote #5
I couldn't any longer acknowledge Grandma as the head of the family, and it was to Simon that some of the old authority became attached. (4.35)
Grandma Lausch isn't really grandma to the March boys—not by blood, anyway. Nevertheless, she has been the chief authority figure in their family.
Quote #6
After that we had a diminished family life, as though it were care of Georgie that had been the mean basis of household union and now everything was disturbed. (4.51)
Would the March family life have diminished as much had one of the other brothers permanently moved out of town? If not, what made George's presence unique?
Quote #7
I wasn't of the blood, and the old man had dynastic ideas too. (5.21)
Einhorn does a lot for Augie, but he'll never allow Augie to become a member of his family, even in a remotely. The fact that he feels the need to make this clear to Augie shows that Augie has something adoptable about him, like a stray kitten. So fluffy.
Quote #8
But she wanted to try being a mother. However, I was in a state of removal from all intentions for me. Why should I turn into one of these people who didn't know who they themselves were? (9.2)
Augie doesn't want to be someone who doesn't know who he is, and he believes joining a new family will make him into such a person. However, he says elsewhere that he doesn't know where he belongs. Can he know who he is without knowing where he belongs?