How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
She did not allow herself to consider the idea that making a difference in the world might require a bolder venture. She merely told herself consolingly, "Of course, while I'm in the wood, if I decide never to come back, well then, that will be that." She was able to believe in this because she needed to; and, believing, was her own true, promising friend once more. (5.4)
At the beginning of the novel, Winnie is a friend to herself. And to be honest, she's the only friend she's got. But sometimes that's all it takes.
Quote #2
"Look here, Winnie Foster," said Jesse. "We're friends, we really are. But you got to help us. Come sit down, and we'll try to tell you why." (6.22)
This is more like "we're friends, not enemies" as opposed to "we're friends, let's grab lunch." But hey, when you're low on friends, you take what you can get. Even if they're kidnappers, apparently. (P.S. Don't try this at home.)
Quote #3
"It was the same with our friends," said Mae. "They come to pull back from us. There was talk about witchcraft. Black magic. Well, you can't hardly blame them, but finally we had to leave the farm. We didn't know where to go." (7.18)
The whole immortality thing prevents the Tucks from having friends. That basically means they only have each other. Not a bad bunch to be stuck with, but it probably gets lonely after a while.
Quote #4
And Winnie, laughing at him, lost the last of her alarm. They were friends, her friends. She was running away after all, but she was not alone. Closing the gate on her oldest fears as she had closed the gate of her own fenced yard, she discovered the wings she'd always wished she had. And all at once she was elated. (8.13)
Winnie's friendship with the Tucks gives her courage. Everything's less scary when you've got company, don't you think?
Quote #5
It sounded rather sad to Winnie, never to belong anywhere. "That's too bad," she said, glancing shyly at Mae. "Always moving around and never having any friends or anything." (10.11)
Winnie can definitely empathize with the no-friends situation. She's got that in common with the Tucks, and maybe that's what brings them closer together.
Quote #6
[Winnie] found that she loved them, this most peculiar family. They were her friends, after all. And hers alone. (17.4)
Hmmm, we're not sure about this sentiment. Winnie sounds a little possessive here. If the Tucks had other friends, would she like them as much? Or is it just because they're her only friends that she's happy it goes both ways?
Quote #7
"You wanted to [come with the Tucks]?" echoed the constable, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You wanted to?"
"That's right," said Winnie unflinchingly. "They're my friends." (20.9-10)
Friends stick up for each other, and that's exactly what Winnie does for the Tucks. She totally could have thrown them under the bus, but she stands by them, protecting them from a pretty nasty punishment.
Quote #8
She had gone away with the Tucks because—well, she just wanted to. The Tucks had been very kind to her, had given her flapjacks, taken her fishing. The Tucks were good and gentle people. (21.3)
Winnie has a tough time expressing why she went with the Tucks. But we can all understand that we-just-wanted-to feeling. While it doesn't fly in some situations ("we just wanted to skip school"), when it comes to choosing friends, it's usually a solid bet.
Quote #9
"I don't know," said Winnie, "but it doesn't matter. Tell your father I want to help. I have to help. If it wasn't for me, there wouldn't have been any trouble in the first place. Tell him I have to." (22.23)
Friendship doesn't come with obligations. In this case, Winnie has to help the Tucks get out of a pretty sticky situation. Other considerations (like, say, her safety) go out the window.
Quote #10
They had tried to bring her up properly, with a true sense of right and wrong. They did not understand. And finally she had sobbed the only truth there was into her mother's shoulder, the only explanation: the Tucks were her friends. She had done it because—in spite of everything, she loved them. (25.7)
'Nuff said.