How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Every Greek drama needs a deus ex machina. (2.6.88)
Deus ex machina means "god in the machine," and it is pretty much a big ol' red flag that fate is on the way. Can you explain Milton's last-minute reprieve from death any other way?
Quote #8
An aneurysm had burst in Maxine Grossinger's brain. (3.6.164)
Yikes. Is it possible that Maxine Grossinger's sole purpose in life was to die on stage to bring Cal and the Object close together? That seems to be what Eugenides thinks by only showing us this brief, tragic moment in this unfortunately named girl's brief, tragic life.
Quote #9
In the end it wasn't up to me. The big things never are. Birth, I mean, and death. And love. And what love bequeaths to us before we're born. (3.10.64)
This is about as definitive of a quote as you can get about fate. Cal believes that certain things are beyond his control. We agree that you can't control birth or death (despite what Cher wants you to think as she gets older), but what about love?