How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Pride is holding your head up when everyone around you has theirs bowed. Courage is what makes you do it." (7.102)
This is one of the most powerful lines of the novel, and we think it's a pretty wise and insightful idea to hold onto. What do you make of these definitions? Can you improve them? How does Peekay show that pride and courage are principles that guide his life later on in the novel?
Quote #5
"Always listen to yourself, Peekay. It is better to be wrong than simply to follow convention. If you are wrong, no matter, you have learned something and you will grow stronger. If you are right, you have taken another step toward a fulfilling life." (9.111)
This advice from Doc probably goes a long way toward keeping Peekay out of the church and also giving him a critical eye when it comes to school and society. Anyways, who likes a follower? We here at Shmoop are big on individuality. You go, Doc. Keep dropping that knowledge.
Quote #6
Doc never talked about drinking. All he would sometimes say as I set my music out on the big Steinway was, "Pianissimo, Peekay, the wolves were howling in my head last night." (10.5)
Doc tries to keep his problems quiet, as though it were a principle of his not to show his weakness to young Peekay. The wolves howling is the mental block that won't let him get through the music he should be able to play. Hey, we've all got our vice.