How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
They looked at her coldly, as if they were finding fault with her. And hurriedly, she felt she must cover up some fault in herself. Yet what it was that she must cover up, she never knew. (1)
The family often communicates with each other in unspoken ways—and it can get downright creepy. We're talking telekinesis a la Carrie here, people.
Quote #2
The whisper was everywhere, and therefore no-one spoke it. Just as no-one ever says: "We are breathing!", in spite of the fact that breath is coming and going all the time. (7)
The whisper seems to have supernatural qualities; it's in everyone's minds but never spoken aloud.
Quote #3
"Don't they? Nobody at all? Does nobody know?"
"Perhaps God! But he never tells." (24-5)
"God" is used ironically here, as Hester clearly values luck and greed over moral integrity.
Quote #4
"It's as if he had it from heaven, Sir!" Bassett reiterated. (141)
In contrast with the mother's cynicism, Bassett truly believes that the boy has a divine gift.
Quote #5
"Look here, Son," he said. "This sort of thing makes me nervous." (146)
In contrast with Bassett, Uncle Oscar finds something sinister in Paul's abilities—but he exploits Paul for gambling tips anyway. Surely there can be no harm in encouraging his young nephew to gamble.
Quote #6
"I've got to know for the Derby! I've got to know for the Derby!" the child re-iterated, his big blue eyes blazing with a sort of madness. (184)
Quote #7
"But you know you needn't worry, Mother, don't you?" the boy repeated.
"I should be awfully glad to know it," she said wearily. (199-200)
"Know" is another ironic term in the text, as it refers only to that which the characters are already conscious of. The stuff they really need to know to help solve their problems is all the unconscious stuff: Paul's madness, the desire for money, the weird mother-son dynamic.
Quote #8
Paul's secret of secrets was his wooden horse, that which had no name. (203)
Paul's rocking horse is another object in the house that has magical properties to it. We wonder what kind of magic…
Quote #9
What in God's name was it? She ought to know. She felt that she knew the noise. She knew what it was.
Yet she could not place it. She couldn't say what it was. And on and on it went, like a madness. (219-20)
Here's another part where a character isn't in tune with the unconscious truth. It's another instance where "God" is referenced ironically.
Quote #10
"I never told you, Mother, that if I can ride my horse, and get there, then I'm absolutely sure – Oh absolutely! Mother, did I ever tell you? I am lucky!" (241)
Paul is so distraught that he's forgotten that he has told his mother that he's lucky.
Quote #11
"My God, Hester, you're eighty-odd thousand to the good, and a poor devil of a son to the bad […]" (244)
Words such as "God," "good," "devil," and "bad" sound strange on Oscar's lips, since his values are so immoral. His actions over the course of the story have demonstrated how much he values money over his nephew's well-being. (Hint: The money always wins.)