The Westing Game Turtle Wexler Quotes

"Some scarring, not bad really, Angela. Besides, you always said being pretty wasn't important, it's who you really are that counts." (16.61)

When Turtle's trying to console Angela about how she'll be a little disfigured from the bombing, which Angela herself caused, she quotes her own words back to her. But it's one thing to say being pretty isn't significant when you are pretty. It's another thing to keep believing it when you can't rely on your traditional prettiness anymore.

Notice, too, another important quote's echo here: "it's what you don't have that counts." Who you are is what matters, not what box your appearance fits into.

Turtle Wexler

Quote 2

"Yes ma'am." Turtle stared down at the carpet, wondering if she had given Angela away.

Judge Ford rose and placed an arm around Turtle's bony shoulders. She had never wished for a sister until this moment. "Turtle, will you give me your word that you will never play with fireworks again?" (21.64-65)

In some ways, sibling relationships are the strongest familial bonds in this book. Theo watches for Chris and Turtle cares for Angela. Turtle's willing to jeopardize her future, to burn off her hair, and to take the fall, all to protect her beautiful big sister. The judge recognizes this bond between them and it makes her long for a family of her own – the one time in the text we see her be sentimental about having a family or regret the lack of one.

"Some day." Turtle and Theo had decided against having children because of the possibility of inheriting Chris's disease. "If it's a boy we'll name him Sandy, and if it's a girl, well, I guess we can name her Sandy, too." (30.27)

This is a moving description of what love is and what family can mean. Even though Turtle and Theo would like to have kids, they've decided not to just in case their kid gets the same disease Chris has. That's just a "possibility," not a guarantee, but for Turtle and Theo it's enough. They'll make a family without children in it. (On a side note, their decision raises interesting questions about whether Turtle might be relieved to not have to be a mother, considering the role model she had to work with.)

Even though they've decided this, though, Turtle lies about it to give Sandy comfort when he's actually dying. Sometimes lying can be love, too.