How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Well upon my word! I didn't suppose there was any one who felt that we could get enough of the Bible! I guess if the Grand Old Book has withstood the attacks of infidels for these two thousand years it is worth our slight consideration." (11.8.20)
Unlike Carol Kennicott, some people in Gopher Prairie feel like you can never have too much of the Bible in your life. Sure, other books will come and go—but for these folks, the Bible is forever, and no one should ever suggest otherwise.
Quote #8
"This town—why it's only the religious training I've given Cy that's kept him so innocent of—things." (15.7.12)
Mrs. Bogart is out of her mind if she thinks she's raised her son Cy to be an upstanding Christian gentleman. The truth is that none of her religious education has worked; if anything, she's driven her son to be the biggest troublemaker in all of Gopher Prairie. What does this say about the effect of Mrs. Bogart's religious views and moral guidance?
Quote #9
"It is negation canonized as the one positive virtue. It is the prohibition of happiness. It is slavery self-sought and self-defended. It is dullness made God." (22.3.5)
When it comes time to sum up the mentality of Gopher Prairie, Carol Kennicott can only talk about it as submission to a religion of total dullness. It's like the people of this town want to have nothing exciting in their lives, and they've made a God out of their predictable, mediocre ways.