How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Section.Paragraph)
Quote #7
There [Fitz-Norman] managed to dispose of half a dozen small stones—when he tried a larger one a storekeeper fainted and Fitz-Norman was arrested as a public disturber. (4.4)
"The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" makes the point that too much wealth can be a dangerous thing.
Quote #8
It was an amazing predicament. [Fitz-Norman] was, in one sense, the richest man that ever lived—and yet was he worth anything at all? If his secret should transpire there was no telling to what measures the Government might resort in order to prevent a panic, in gold as well as in jewels. They might take over the claim immediately and institute a monopoly. (4.6)
This raises the question of how different things are valued and why. How is it that an object comes to have value in this story? What is meant by "value," in the first place? Do the diamonds have any value for the Washingtons anymore, given that their entire house is made of the material?
Quote #9
"This is the golf course," [Braddock] continued, as they strolled along the velvet winter grass. "It's all a green, you see—no fairway, no rough, no hazards." (6.7)
Except that what makes a golf course a golf course is its hazards. A plain fairway would be a boring game. Washington seems to miss the point here – flawless isn't always best or even preferable.