Find quotes from this novel, with commentary from Shmoop. Pick a theme below to begin.
Family Quotes
"During our first winter I hired a family instead of a single man. There was tragedy. A horrible tragedy." (1.45)
Violence Quotes
"He murdered his little girls with a hatchet, his wife with a shotgun, and himself the same way" (1.60).
The Supernatural Quotes
He understood a great many things about his parents, and he knew that many times they didn't like his understandings and many other times refused to believe them. But someday they would have to bel...
Drugs and Alcohol Quotes
Dear God, he could use a drink. Or a thousand of them. (3.65)
Time Quotes
When he came back to the world of real things, he was lying on the floor with beans and mashed potatoes on his lap and his mommy was holding him and crying and his daddy had been on the phone. (4.9)
Versions of Reality Quotes
"It's a slang term for the claustrophobic reaction that can occur when people are shut in together over long periods of time. The feeling of claustrophobia is externalized as dislike for the people...
Isolation Quotes
"I don't intend to bring any alcohol up here, and I don't think there will be any opportunity to get any before the snow flies." (1.66)
Language and Communication Quotes
"[…] vague things that had to do with security, with Daddy's selfimage, feelings of guilt and anger and what was to become of them." (4.6)
Mortality Quotes
"He murdered his little girls with a hatchet, his wife with a shotgun, and himself the same way. His leg was broken. Undoubtedly so drunk he fell downstairs." (1.60)