How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Singer never knew just how much his friend understood of all the things he told him. But it did not matter. (1.1.5)
Oh Singer. You have a way of asking the big questions without really asking them. Can the act of communicating be meaningful even if the other person doesn't understand you?
Quote #8
He tried to say something – but he had not called to tell her anything special. He only wanted to talk with her or a little while. He started to speak and swallowed. They just looked at each other. The quietness grew out longer and neither of them could say a word. (2.1.15)
Don't you just hate awkward silences? Even McCullers is feeling it, what with all these short sentences and pauses in her writing. These two just can't seem to get their words out, but they're not quite sure what to say.
Quote #9
The words rose inchoately to his throat and he could not speak them. They would listen to the old man. Yet to words of reason they would not attend. These are my people, he tried to tell himself – but because he was dumb this thought did not help him now. (2.3.93)
SAT word alert! Inchoately means newly or barely formed. Unfinished. Can you relate to how Copeland is feeling here? He knows he has something reasonable and right to say, but he's not quite sure what. Inchoate, indeed.