How we cite our quotes: The book doesn't have numbered or titled chapters, but it is broken up into sections with sub-sections under these. We'll call this Chapter:Section:Paragraph.
Quote #1
But he waited for the Russians to call him up, because if you left the district before they had conscripted you, then your father was arrested, fined, and imprisoned. If the son got away after induction, then the father could not be blamed; it was the army's responsibility. (4.2.6)
Here we learn an interesting detail about Morris's past: his relationship with his father, and what his father was able to do for him.
Quote #2
Yet she could not help but hope that her own children would someday marry Jews. (6.1.6)
Judaism is important to Helen, not just for her personally, but as the heritage of her family and her people. She wants her children to be one with her by sharing this bond.
Quote #3
Helen was still uneasy. It took her a while to quiet her conscience for having lied to her mother. (6.2.41)
Lying would be difficult for Helen under any circumstance, having been raised by the honest-to-goodness Morris Bober, but lying to her mother is particularly painful. Still, she does it, and is apparently able to quiet her conscience about it. Her mother's fears are not unfounded.
Quote #4
"Marry somebody who can give you a better life, a nice professional boy with a college education. Don't mix up now with a stranger. Helen, I know what I'm talking. Believe me, I know." (6.4.27)
Ida regrets (somewhat) marrying Morris. She never tells him this, and she doesn't spell it out for Helen, but you can hear the regret in her pleas to her daughter. She's basically saying, "Don't make the same mistake I made!"
Quote #5
"Go ask her. What happened with Nat? She's like you, she don't tell me anything." (8.1.28)
As close as the Bobers are, there's distance between them, doors they keep closed to one another.
Quote #6
[H]is overdue confession wouldn't be complete or satisfying so long as he kept hidden what he had done to his daughter. About that he knew he could never open his mouth… (8.2.2)
Obviously Morris wouldn't tolerate Frank if he knew he raped his daughter. Why do you think Helen keeps this fact from her parents?
Quote #7
Morris retreated into the kitchen. Ida looked at him as if he had committed murder but did not speak. (8.4.8)
Morris is being Morris: honest to a fault and unwilling to cheat. We get the impression that Ida doesn't like this about him. If he were otherwise, they'd arguably be better off.
Quote #8
He thought of his life with sadness. For his family, he had not provided, the poor man's disgrace. Ida was asleep at his side. He wanted to awaken her and apologize. He thought of Helen. It would be terrible if she became an old maid. He moaned a little, thinking of Frank. His mood was of regret. I gave away my life for nothing. It was the thunderous truth. (9.4.9)
What do you say to that?
Quote #9
Ida was still asleep in the half-empty bed that had for a lifetime served two. (10.2.5)
Morris has gone, but his home still remembers him. His absence is felt in the incompleteness of the place.
Quote #10
What had she ever given him, ever done to make his poor life better? She wept for Morris, thinking of his compromises and surrenders. (10.2.5)
Helen hasn't been an adult for very long—she's in her early twenties—but she blames herself for not doing as much for her father as she could have. Is she being too hard on herself?