How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
He became trapped in that space between words and could only stand and watch [...] the thoughtless boyish part of him crashing on out of sight blindly [...] while he, trapped, the grownup Al, watched in oddly impersonal suspense. (1.32)
Alfred's mental state is compared to that of a young boy throughout the novel, which serves to both illustrate his helplessness and show just how far he's deteriorated.
Quote #2
"That's what Gary and Caroline say too [...] They say he was a workaholic and that work was a drug which when he couldn't have it anymore he got depressed." (2.435)
While there's truth to this, Alfred's problems run way deeper than just unemployment. Gary has incentive to downplay his dad's problems—after all, if it happened to Alfred, then why couldn't it happen to him?
Quote #3
That his impulse, instead, was to jump to his feet and answer the phone [...] cast doubt on the authenticity of his suffering. He felt as if he lacked the ability to lose all volition and connection with reality the way depressed people did in books and movies. (2.530)
And now, a brief commercial interruption from Chip "I Wish I Were More Interesting" Lambert. To our surprise, Chip turns out to be the sane one in the family. Here's our advice for you, little buddy: Be careful what you wish for.