The Day of the Locust Chapter 17 Quotes

The Day of the Locust Chapter 17 Quotes

How we cite the quotes:
(Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote 1

She had never looked more beautiful. She was wearing a new, very tight black dress and her platinum hair was tucked up in a shining bun. (17.8)

Naturally, the first thing Tod does upon arriving at Harry Greener's funeral is check out the dead man's daughter. Charming. But it's also worth noting that Faye chose to get done up to the nines for the funeral—there was nothing stopping her from dressing modestly.

Quote 2

Raging at her, she was still beautiful. That was because her beauty was structural like a tree's, not a quality of her mind or heart. (17.25)

Ouch—Faye's going to need some ice for that burn. Basically, Tod is saying that her beauty is purely physical and not related in any way whatsoever to the person beneath her perfect skin. You might think that this would help him get over her, but you couldn't be more wrong.

Quote 3

He had found an argument. Disease would destroy her beauty. He shouted at her like a Y.M.C.A. lecturer in sex hygiene. (17.27)

Here, Tod uses Faye's beauty against her by planting the fear of ugliness in her head. Could you imagine anything more horrifying? Laugh all you want, but the proof is in the pudding—this technique works like a charm.