“I’d never seen that kind of love in person. My parents loved each other, but badly, and they were miserable. So were all the other couples in my neighborhood. Have you ever actually seen that kind of love?” William shook his head. He had married out of fear because he didn’t think he was capable of steering himself into adulthood. He’d needed Julia to be his parent more than his partner. He was ashamed of this, but it was true.”
The quote reflects the narrator, Sylvie, and her aversion to intimacy and commitment. She's describing a love she's never seen before, one that's genuine, honest, and true. Her parents exemplified a bad marriage, and all of the other couples in her neighborhood were also unhappy. Sylvie was afraid of settling for a mediocre relationship, so she imagined an epic love story. She thought it was impossible because she had never seen it in person. In contrast, William married out of fear and needed Julia to be his parent more than his partner. He is embarrassed by the truth. However, after meeting William and reading his book, Sylvie realized that it is possible to find a man who truly understands her and sees the best in her. Despite being married to Julia, William is standing in the fire, and Sylvie can see him completely. This quote expresses people's deep fear of commitment as well as their longing for true love. It delves into human emotions and the intricate dynamics of relationships.
“Some would adopt a pitying expression, the embodiment of the words you poor thing. She knew they were whispering prayers of gratitude for their own smallness, for the fact that they were feminine and could hide themselves when necessary.”
This quote provides insight into Alice's first-year college experience as a tall woman. Because of her height, she attracts stares and pitying expressions. Other girls appreciate their small stature because it allows them to blend in and hide when necessary. Boys are surprised when she says she doesn't participate in sports, and some assume she is related to a famous athlete. Despite these trials, Alice finds acceptance in her friend Rhoan, who encourages her to chart her course.
“If a steady boyfriend or sluttiness were the two available doors, she had found and opened a third. What made her most excited about her future was the idea of finding more third doors. Her soulmate would qualify; he would be more than a boyfriend or a husband.”
This quote is spoken by the protagonist, Sylvie, as she reflects on her life choices. She wants more than a steady boyfriend or a reputation as a "slut," and she's excited about the prospect of discovering this third door. This quote implies that she is seeking a deep, meaningful connection with someone; her "soulmate," as she refers to it. It also implies that she wishes for a relationship in which she is accepted for who she is and her partner does not attempt to change her. This could be interpreted as a rejection of traditional relationship views in which one partner is expected to conform to the expectations and desires of the other. Sylvie is looking for something unique, something that isn't bound by convention.
“No one said anything to him that day, though, not even about his height. He was either disappearing or he looked too dangerous—too other—to engage. Later, he would think, No one wants to be near someone who’s that close to gone.”
The quote reflects William's sense of isolation from the world around him. He is in an emotional and psychological state that makes it difficult for him to be around other people. People seem to be avoiding him, either because he is an unknown figure or because he appears dangerous or "other," which is most likely a reference to his mental state. This creates a sense of alienation in William because he believes that no one wants to be near someone who is on the verge of disappearing. Finally, this quote is about William's feelings of isolation and loneliness, and how they keep him from connecting with others.
