Love Quotes in The Forest of Hands and Teeth

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

Marriage in our village is not about love—it is about commitment. (1.18)

Commitment without love is possible. So is love without commitment—or is it?

Quote #2

I don't know how to make him understand that sometimes love and devotion can overpower a person to the point where she wants to join her spouse in the Forest. Even if it means throwing everything else in life away. (3.33)

Perhaps Mary's mom's actions are a selfless move, showing extreme love and devotion for her spouse. But perhaps they are a selfish move, choosing love for her dead spouse over love for her living children. It's also totally possible they are just an accident.

Quote #3

I know I'm in love with Travis at these moments. I can feel the way that I ache to make him whole again. How if I could drain out my own life and share it with him to make him better I would not hesitate to do so. (5.31)

This sounds similar to Mary's mother—she was willing to drain out her own life to seek out her husband among the Unconsecrated. Ironically, in the end it's Travis who sacrifices his life to make Mary's better, not the other way around.