How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
This was what she had been attempting to get over to us, that if we did as she said we could expect plenty of results like this public homage. (3.12)
One of Grandma Lausch's personal goals is to guide the March boys into a higher class. Part of being higher class has to do with wealth; another part, illustrated here, has to do with social recognition, because people do judge a book by its cover after all.
Quote #2
"I have done as much as I could to give you a little education and an honest upbringing, even tried to make gentlemen of you. But you must know who you are, what you are, and not get unreal ideas. […] I tried to explain something about this to your brother, but his thoughts are about as steady as the way a drunkard pees." (4.28)
Grandma Lausch has moderate expectations for Simon and Augie. Becoming moderately successful gentlemen is as much as she can image for them. She doesn't believe they'll rise too high above their current station…it's not like they're that great or anything.
Quote #3
Like Grandma Lausch, he knew how to use large institutions. (5.17)
For Grandma Lausch, these institutions were charity and social work offices. For Einhorn, they're insurance companies and other businesses. This story is all about getting your hustle on.
Quote #4
He drove a Packard, the same model and colors as the Renlings'; I parked behind him on the drive so that he had to look twice to see which was his, and then I had him. (8.62)
When Augie has his sights set on something, he can be as determined as a hunting bird. Unfortunately for him, his attention inevitably gets directed elsewhere, as does his determination. Sound familiar?
Quote #5
From his standpoint, for me, reared by poor women, it was a big break to be rescued from the rat race and saved by affection. God may save all, but human rescue is only for a few. (9.3)
Note that Mr. Renling considers adopting Augie and bringing the boy into her class to be a kind of salvation. The poor are, in general, the unsaved (and unclean). There's some interesting religious imagery going on here.
Quote #6
An educated man with a business is a lord. Renling is very clever and has come far, but with science, literature, and history he would have been a real prince and not just average prosperous—" (9.4)
Note, well, Shmoopers: science, literature, and history are princely pursuits—get a doctorate and you get a cool title. You heard it here first.
Quote #7
Plus the often needling thought that their membership fee in the club was more than I had to pay for Mama in the Home. (10.106)
Augie seems to be making more of an observation here than implying any kind of judgment. He's not the type to get worked up over social injustices, real or perceived. The closest he comes to political involvement is the union work, which he does try to justify to Einhorn, but it's not like he's actually passionate about the rights of the working class.