How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
After she and Gary were married, she'd undergone five years of twice-weekly therapy which the therapist, at the final session, had declared "an unqualified success" and which had given her a lifelong advantage over Gary in the race for mental health. (3.275)
Here's a pro tip from us: Things are not going to end well if you approach everything in your future marriage as a competition.
Quote #5
Gary for his part wanted back the Caroline who just a few nights ago had clutched him in bed when there was heavy thunder. The Caroline who came skipping toward him when he walked into a room. The semi-orphaned girl whose most fervent wish was to be on his team. (3.567)
Again we see a marriage's power dynamic clearly laid out in a metaphor—Gary is the coach, Caroline is his most loyal player. Or, at least, he wishes she were.
Quote #6
He could have ended the crisis in a minute if all he'd had to do was forgive her; but to see mirrored in her eyes how repellent she found him—it made him crazy, it poisoned his hope. (3.642)
This scene echoes an earlier interaction between Enid and Alfred. Both couples get caught up in a cycle of resentment, each wanting to connect but neither willing to make the first move.