How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
My mind was already dwelling on a good enough fate.
While the old lady, following her own idea of what fate would be, continued to find various jobs for me. (3.1-2)
For Augie, fate appears to be the result of circumstance, influence, and choices. His own fate isn't entirely in his hands, as time only knows all that will happen to him and around him.
Quote #2
All the influences were lined up waiting for me. I was born, and there they were to form me, which is why I tell you more of them than of myself. (4.1)
As a character, Augie March is less drawn out than some of the people in his life. Usually, when he describes himself, he's noting what someone else has said about him and whether or not he agrees.
Quote #3
Mama must have felt she was in one of her star-crossed hours, and that the result of her unlucky capitulation to our father was beginning to show its final retributive shape. (4.7)
On the fate vs. freewill spectrum, Augie's mother is on Team Fate. Augie implies that she's the type to find meaning for her life in the movement of the heavens. In other words, she's superstitious.
Quote #4
She had a dizzy watchfulness from the buzzing of some omen or other. (4.20)
Augie's mother seems to be superstitious, but not very vocal about the specifics. Either that, or Augie just doesn't consider the specificities worth noting.
Quote #5
"It's practically determined. And if you're going to let it be determined for you too, you're sucker. Just what's predicted." (7.54)
For Einhorn, fate is for suckers and saps. He rose above his paralysis and determined his own fate. He wants Augie to do the same. Minus the whole paralysis part.
Quote #6
I never had accepted determination and wouldn't become what other people wanted to make of me. (7.57)
This is somewhat ironic. Augie has a lifelong habit of not being his own person, instead getting caught up in the designs and ambitions of others. He constantly allows other people to determine the course of his life, like a walking and talking choose-your-own-adventure book.
Quote #7
From here a new course was set—by us, for us: I'm not going to try to unravel all the causes. (8.1)
Maybe Augie should attempt some unraveling here. He might have a better sense of himself if he tried to understand how his course got underway and where it's headed rather than flying full speed ahead with no looking back.
Quote #8
The thing I learned from her was of the utmost importance; namely, that everyone sees to it his fate is shared. Or tries to see to it. (11.37)
This could have a positive connotation or a negative one. If someone's fate is awesome and they would like others to share it, share on. But if someone's fate isn't that great, you probably don't want to share in the misery.
Quote #9
I was hurrying to fulfill the prophesy Thea Fenchel has made on that swing in St. Joe. (14.1)
But remember: Augie never lets himself be determined. By anyone. Ever. But that's our Augie—a bundle of contradictions!
Quote #10
I didn't overlook the nobility of her project, how ancient it was, that kind of ambition that was involved or the aspect of game or hazard; I even was aware of the link to earliest times in the great venture of domestication. (16.3)
How much of Thea's desire to train the eagle to hunt lizards is really her own? No one else seems to have given her the idea, but at the same time she's associating herself with an ancient practice and people throughout history. Is it their fate she hopes to share?