How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Certainly, it feels like I always knew about donations in some vague way, even as early as six or seven. And it's curious, when we were older and the guardians were giving us those talks, nothing came as a complete surprise. It was like we'd heard everything somewhere before. (7.27)
How creepy! Kathy can't seem to remember how she learned about donations. This has us wondering if Kathy is fooling herself. Maybe she needs to pay more attention in class. But it also gives her a healthy dose of responsibility for her fate. You could argue that if she and Tommy knew where their lives were headed on some level, well then they had the power to do something about it and chose not to.
Quote #5
Then Chrissie said in a new voice: "You know, Ruth, we might be coming here in a few years' time to visit you. Working in a nice office. I don't see how anyone could stop us visiting you then."
"That's right," Ruth said quickly. "You can all come and see me." (13.24-25)
While in Norfolk, Ruth engages in a little make-believe. When Chrissie suggests that maybe Ruth will be working in an office one day, Ruth goes along with this idea. In fact, Ruth almost seems to believe that the dream will come true. To get at the heart of this dilemma, we'll quote the Boss, who has never failed us: "Is a dream a lie if it don't come true? Or is it something worse?"
Quote #6
Ruth sighed and said: "Well, they told us a few things, obviously. But"—she gave a shrug—"it's not something we know much about. We never talked about it really. Anyway, we should get going soon." (13.52).
Here, when Chrissie and Rodney ask about deferrals, Ruth responds with a big fat lie. The sad truth is, no one at Hailsham taught them about deferrals. Ruth risks getting Chrissie and Rodney's hopes up with this fib. Maybe that's why she's so eager to change the subject.