How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
People had been disappearing for months, years now, yet none dared talk about it except in the privacy of their homes with the curtains drawn. (1.5)
The Soviet government uses fear to control its citizens. Sadly, it works really well: Everyone is so scared of the government that they don't even want to talk about it. After all, you never know who might be a government agent in disguise just waiting to turn you in.
Quote #2
At first, he didn't really know where he was going; he just had to get away from the house before the secret police returned. (1.16)
Now that his family has been kidnapped, Alex has good reason to be scared. He knows the government isn't just going to turn a blind eye toward him once they figure out that he's escaped—they're going to hunt him down. Gulp.
Quote #3
The truth of the morning had been frightening, but blank, shapeless. Now he felt the cold fear all over again, but stronger. (1.31)
Most of the time, Alex is able to control his fear by focusing on his plans for the future. It's a good strategy, but it isn't long until his fear becomes so overwhelming that he can't avoid it anymore. So what's he supposed to do now?