"So imagine that embedded in every human life, there are traffic crossings, where – if we were to peek into the box – we would see the contingencies of our fate comingling before charging off in opposed directions."
The quote shows how human fate is unpredictable. The future of Jack in politics is uncertain because no one knows his potential. Interestingly, even Jack does not know that in future, he will be the most successful politician in the United States of America. The author uses this quote to encourage readers to do their best in whatever they do and leave the rest to God. In other words, good work is rewarded, and that is what happens to Jack when he becomes the president of the United States of America.
"I could have damned the torpedoes, I suppose, but I am embarrassed to say that I did what every other New Yorker does at the sight of her. Stopped and gawked. Yes, as if she were some golden hind trotting out of a glade."
The force of attraction is irresistible when Jack first sees Jacqueline. Human beings are unique, and when they meet people with similar interests and concerns, they get attracted to each other. However, for Jack, Jacqueline’s golden beauty pushes him to glance at her more than once. However, Jack’s attraction towards Jacqueline at first is not motivated by love but by bodily satisfaction.
"Turning now to Jackie and me, I can stipulate that right from the beginning, we shared a spark of fellow feeling, and yet it might have gone nowhere, nowhere at all, if circumstances hadn't played out the way they had."
One incredible thing between Jack and Jacqueline is that they share political ideologies. However, Jacqueline wants to be independent and focus on her career development. Jackie knows that she will not get married because she values her independence. Jack quickly recognizes that Jacqueline is self-assured about what she wants, but that does not discourage him from strategizing how to win her.
