How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
He switched off the light again, and instantly everything was even worse than before. The fear jumped at him for the third time like a great animal that had been waiting to spring. Will lay terrified, shaking, feeling himself shake, and yet unable to move. He felt he must be going mad. […] And then in a dreadful furious moment, horror seized him like a nightmare made real. (1.84)
In his room on the first night, Will is scared—and this is before he even knows about the Dark. It's clear that he's just like other eleven-year-olds who sometimes get scared at night. When we find out that Will is an all-powerful Sign Seeker, this scene helps us remember that he's also still a kid growing up.
Quote #2
"A Midwinter birthday," said the strange man in the cloak. "Auspicious, indeed. And you will be eleven years grown." It was a statement, not a question. (2.42)
Old John talks about Will's birthday in the beginning. Thing is, Will's birthday kind of comes up a lot, reminding us that though he's an Old One, he's also just a kid.
Quote #3
Merriman said curtly: "Yes," Then he relented a little. "But it was their doing, Will, not yours. They seized you, through your impatience and your hope. They love to twist good emotion to accomplish ill." (3.104)
When the Lady gets hurt by the doors, Merriman gets annoyed at Will for being immature. While we do think Merriman could cut the guy a break sometimes, he has a point here. Will is immature and still learning how to be an Old One. If he weren't, he wouldn't have any room for growth… or coming of age.
Quote #4
"But men cannot understand this. Nor will you for a while yet. We can travel through the years in other ways too—one of them was used this morning to bring you back through five centuries or so. That is where you were—in the time of the Royal Forests." (3.176)
Merriman is talking about time specifically here, but we might think this about Will's experience in general. He's not going to understand everything about being an Old One until he matures a bit more. Luckily for Merriman, we get to see Will do this over the course of the novel.
Quote #5
And there on the snow, the fallen arm of the tree burst into flame. Every inch of it, from the thick rotted base to the smallest twig, blazed with licking yellow fire. There was a hissing sound, and a tall shaft of brilliance rose from the fire like a pillar. No smoke came from the burning, and the flames were steady. (4.32)
What's one of the biggest signs that Will still has a long way to go in becoming a mature, responsible Old One? He plays with his magic for fun on the side of the road and almost gets himself—and the Walker—killed when the Dark shows up. Oops.
Quote #6
"They were in a bright room again, a room unlike anything Will had ever seen. The ceilings were high, painted with pictures of trees and woods and mountains; the walls were paneled in shiny gold wood, lit here and there by strange glowing white globes. And the room was full of music, their own carol taken up by many voices, in a gathering of people dressed like a brilliant scene from a history book." (6.1)
As Will starts to develop his powers, he learns to read between the lines. Before, he noticed the music but just kept on moving forward. Now, though, he thinks about the fact that the Old Ones are near and takes charge of the situation. Sure, he doesn't always react properly, but he's getting there at least.
Quote #7
"It has always been in danger from the Dark, and the endless ingenuity of the Dark would still find a way of using it if they had it in their hands. In this room now, therefore, the book will accomplish its final purpose, which is to bestow on you, the last of the Old ones, the gift of gramarye—and after that it will be destroyed. When you have the knowledge, Will Stanton, there will no longer be any need of storing it, for with you the circle is complete." (6.71)
Merriman instructs Will to read the book and figure out what it means. We get to see first-hand how Will comes of age as the book helps him mature. In it, he learns about everything to do with the Old Ones—past, present, and future—and he's suddenly more equipped to fight the battle against the Dark.
Quote #8
This time, his fear was adult, made of experience and imagination and care for others, and it was the worst of all. In the moment that he knew this, he knew too that he, Will, was the only means by which his own fear could be overcome, and thus the Circle fortified and the Dark driven away. Who are you? he asked himself—and answered: you are the Sign-Seeker. You have three of the Signs, half the circle of Things of Power. Use them. (8.138)
In the church, Will is still scared, but it's much different than before. Notice how it's described as "adult" and only comes from his experiences, not his inexperience like before. Finally Will knows how to react when the Dark are around instead of acting on impulse like he has before.
Quote #9
He remembered that Merriman had said, long before, that the most dangerous peak of the Dark's power would come at Twelfth Night. Was that time now come? (11.39)
Remember when Merriman says that every word he utters is super important? Will thought that was just hype, but he starts to really think about his task and remember the specific instructions he's been given, and sure enough, it works—he gets on track. Again we see a more mature Will taking in all the possibilities of what to do before reacting.
Quote #10
Will swallowed nervously. An Old One had nothing in the world to fear, nothing. Yet there had been something so strange and awesome about that shadowy figure beneath the giant oak, something that made one feel unnecessary, insignificant, small… He straightened. (12.27)
The Rider comes to fight the Hunter, but this time Will doesn't shriek or run away. He has enough knowledge and power to stand and fight—at least in spirit—right alongside the Hunter. He's come a long way from the guy hiding under the covers at the snow tapping at his window… even if he is still only eleven.