How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I was the only one who knew that despite her sharp ways, her heart was more tender than a flower skin and she loved me beyond reason (1.73).
Growing up without a mother and with an angry/alienated father, Lily often feels unloved. However, she at least basks in the knowledge that Rosaleen loves her.
Quote #2
. . . Don't be afraid, as no life-loving bee wants to sting you. Still, don't be an idiot; wear long sleeves and long pants. Don't swat. Don't even think about swatting. If you feel angry, whistle. Anger agitates, while whistling melts a bee's temper. Act like you know what you're doing, even if you don't. Above all, send the bees love. Every little thing wants to be loved (5.72).
August is instructing Lily here on how to deal with the bees. There are clearly larger lessons here, though, in her reminder that "every little thing" wants to be loved. As we've known since the beginning of the book, Lily is one of those "little things" who desperately wants love.
Quote #3
The whole time we worked, I marveled at how mixed up people got when it came to love. I myself, for instance. It seemed like I was now thinking of Zach forty minutes out of every hour, Zach, who was an impossibility. I can tell you this much: the word is a great big log thrown on the fires of love (7.194).
Ah, the perversity of human nature—love only gets stronger when you're told you aren't allowed to feel it, in Lily's view.