How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
We have been conditioned to think of chickens as neatly sorted cellophane packages of breasts, wings, legs, thighs, and necks, without guts or mess, without death. (7.7.104)
Here's some more real talk from Lyman. Although it might be tempting to read Susan's story and think of her as naive, the truth is that modern folks like us are just as naive in our own ways. Susan had to confront the harsh realities of life on a daily basis; we stay safe and sound in our air-conditioned rooms ordering pizza for delivery on our cellphones.
Quote #8
We have only switched prohibitions and hypocrisies with them. We blink pain and death, they blinked nudity and human sex, or rather, talk about sex. (7.7.105)
See what we mean? Shelly gives Lyman a lot of grief for avoiding the topic of sex, but he's simply trying to adhere to the social customs of his grandparents' day. The uncomfortable truth is that there are plenty of things that modern people avoid just as much—if not more—as Susan Ward avoided discussions about sexuality.
Quote #9
"Why not try a new way? Or look at your grandfather. Is this manifesto so different from the come-on he wrote for the Idaho Mining and Irrigation Company?" (8.6.61)
That's a good point, Shelly. Unlike Rodman, she realizes that Oliver and Susan Ward were true trailblazers in their day and looks to them as an example for how to make the world better. Of course, Oliver and Susan would never wear tie-dye or listen to the Grateful Dead, but we'll let that slide.