“I think it's especially important to believe in good developments and cling to them. Those kinds of slow daily miracles-like healing, like spring –you know.”
In this citation, Caroline is advocating for the belief in "slow daily miracles" such as healing and spring. This quotation carries a deeper meaning in the context of the novel. The girls are experiencing physical symptoms that are being ignored and dismissed as hysteria. Caroline's statement is a reminder of the power of hope, despite the injustices that the girls are facing. It symbolizes the idea that they can still find solace in the small miracles that life offers, even in the face of suffering. Caroline's words are a call to cling to the hope that they can make it through the darkness and find healing, a hope that is echoed by the arrival of spring. At the same time, the excerpt highlights that the girls should not give in to the oppressive forces that seek to silence their voices and deny their very existence. Thus, believing in the power of small miracles, they can find the strength to stand up and fight for the justice they deserve.
“He was a physician, only an amateur naturalist, but the sort of man who never considered himself an amateur at anything. They all were.”
The excerpt about George Hawkins speaks to the character's ambition and drive to succeed. Despite his lack of experience or background in the field, he never considered himself an amateur. This speaks to his confidence and determination to be successful. It also implies that George was a self-starter and a leader, as he believed he could do anything he put his mind to. This is highlighted by the fact that other people who also had the same mindset surrounded him. The story is about how the well-intentioned actions of certain individuals can have devastating consequences. Hawkins embodies this idea as he is a character who is willing to take risks and push boundaries, despite his ambition ultimately leading to disastrous results. His character serves as an example of how ambition without proper education and experience can lead to misguided decisions with devastating consequences.
“Good as new. As if the only way to be good were to be new, despite all the same flesh, bones, loves, will you had ever had. As if to be healthy meant having no history.”
The quote highlights the idea that the characters in the book are subjected to a system of beliefs that devalues their experiences, individualities, and struggles. The phrase "Good as new" implies that the girls are expected to be "new," or perfect, even though they have the same "flesh, bones, loves, will" that they've always had. This demonstrates the idea that the girls are not seen as individuals with unique stories and challenges, but rather as a homogeneous group whose only value is conformity. Furthermore, the sentiment implies that their experiences and traumas are not given the weight or recognition that they deserve and that this lack of acknowledgment is damaging to their health and well-being. This quote illustrates how societies often deny the lived experiences of individuals, and how this can lead to a disregard for the emotional and physical health of those individuals.
