How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Time with his innumerable horse-power, worked away, not minding what anybody said, and presently turned out young Thomas a foot taller than when his father had last taken particular notice of him. (1.14.3)
Gradgrind doesn't concern himself with his children when they are little. This is normal for the time period, since the education of very little children fell to mothers. But these guys' mother is Mrs. Gradgrind…. Not good.
Quote #8
'You are very fond of me, an't you, Loo? […] Well, sister of mine,' said Tom, 'when you say that, you are near my thoughts. We might be so much oftener together — mightn't we? Always together, almost — mightn't we? It would do me a great deal of good if you were to make up your mind to I know what, Loo. It would be a splendid thing for me. It would be uncommonly jolly!' Her thoughtfulness baffled his cunning scrutiny. He could make nothing of her face. He pressed her in his arm, and kissed her cheek. She returned the kiss, but still looked at the fire. 'I say, Loo! I thought I'd come, and just hint to you what was going on: though I supposed you'd most likely guess, even if you didn't know. I can't stay, because I'm engaged to some fellows tonight. You won't forget how fond you are of me?' (1.14.45-49)
How much should one have to sacrifice for a family member? This is obviously extreme, though Tom doesn't want to acknowledge that he is basically pimping out his sister by guilting her into marrying Bounderby.
Quote #9
perhaps he might have seen one wavering moment in her, when she was impelled to throw herself upon his breast, and give him the pent-up confidences of her heart. But, to see it, he must have overleaped at a bound the artificial barriers he had for many years been erecting, between himself and all those subtle essences of humanity which will elude the utmost cunning of algebra until the last trumpet ever to be sounded shall blow even algebra to wreck. The barriers were too many and too high for such a leap. (1.15.29)
The rest of the novel will be occupied with the gradual melting and removal of these barriers. Louisa finally leaps over them when she confesses her relationship with Harthouse to her father.