How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
The end of the line was a lot farther away than I thought. […] He said, "Line's closed. These here folks are the last ones." He pointed at a man standing next to a woman who was carrying a baby.
I said, "But, sir…"
He said, "But nothing. Line's closed. These here folks are the last ones."
It was time to start lying. […]
I said, "Sir, I—"
The man raised his hand… (6.3-9)
This man is serious about the line being closed, but Bud persists because he is trying to survive on his own, not because he is disrespectful of the rules. He doesn't know any other way to get food. In the end, he gets the food because a stranger helps him, but maybe the stranger wouldn't have noticed him in the first place if Bud hadn't stuck it out trying to get in line.
Quote #5
I said, "And she moved all the way to Chicago?" […] They looked pretty close, but I know how tricky maps can be… I said, "How long would it take someone to walk that far?" […] She did it and said, "Fifty-four hours! Much too long to be practical…."
It doesn't seem like bad news ever gets Bud down for long. He just comes up with a new plan. He adapts: "No Miss Hill in Flint? Okay, maybe I'll just walk to Chicago. Too far? Okay, what next?" That is what helps him persevere to the end of his mission to find his family and his home.
Quote #6
A man screamed, "Get up, they're trying to sneak it out early! I jumped straight up and managed my head on the top of the shack. I ran outside. (8.211)
Even though one plan doesn't work out (to seek Miss Hill for help), Bud just keeps on going, taking whatever new opportunity arises—like hopping a train with Bugs. That doesn't work out, either, but even then, Bud doesn't give up. What would have happened if he had just stayed in Hooverville after missing the train?