How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I felt nothing other than curiosity, a professional interest… coupled with a mild sense of adventure. (2.6)
Young Arthur goes on a business trip, with no idea as to what he's going to encounter. He's in for adventure, that's sure, but the foreshadowing here doesn't give us any hints of what kind of terror he's in for.
Quote #2
In fact, I was not by any means unattracted to the idea of the expedition… (2.70)
The idea of traveling to a different part of the country and sorting through the affairs of a dead woman sounds a little romantic, no?
Quote #3
But I did not go inside. I did not want to, yet awhile. I wanted to drink in all the silence and the mysterious, shimmering beauty, to smell the strange, salt smell that was borne faintly on the wind, to listen for the slightest murmur. (5.16)
There's a certain kind of joy in exploring a new landscape, even if it turns out to be one infested with terrifying ghost people.
Quote #4
I was angry… for the emotion she had aroused in me… and the anger led at once to determination, to follow her and stop her, and then to ask some questions and receive proper replies, to get to the bottom of it all. (5.26)
Even though Arthur is initially scared of the woman in black, he quickly switches to "wanting answers" mode. Unfortunately, the villagers don't seem too eager to provide them.
Quote #5
But more than anything else, I needed an explanation. It is remarkable how powerful a force simple curiosity can be. (5.29)
Detective Arthur Kipps is going to get to the bottom of this ghostly business, even if it kills him. Or his loved ones.
Quote #6
For some obscure reason, I became angry with that door, I kicked at it and rattled the handle hard, before giving up… (6.17)
Even when he's scared, Arthur wants to explore every bit of the house and find out what's going on. We have to admire his bravery.
Quote #7
"If you mean you think I should give up on the job I've been sent here to do and turn tail and run…" (8.23)
After all that's happened, Arthur is still stubbornly determined to finish the job. We wonder if Stella and Joseph wish he hadn't.
Quote #8
I retrieved the bicycle… the dog ran cheerfully after me down the quiet, moonlit lane, toward the town. My spirits rose. In a strange way, I was looking forward to the morrow. (8.56)
Okay, so this isn't the "Madness" theme, but you know what's sheer craziness? Going straight into the belly of the beast (a.k.a. a haunted house) just to "solve a mystery."
Quote #9
So far I had found only one interesting-looking, slim packet of documents and letters, and I decided I would give myself the possible diversion of reading thing… (9.34)
No true mystery is complete without the appearance of previously overlooked and possibly important documents.
Quote #10
...I thought that if I had to go over them again, if only because I had been growing more and more determined to find out what restless soul it was who wanted to cause these disturbances and why, why. If I could uncover the truth, perhaps I might in some way put an end to it all forever. (11.39)
Sorry, Arthur. You're no Sherlock Holmes—that's another Brit altogether.