The Borrowers Freedom Quotes
How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
His wife and child led more sheltered lives in homelike apartments under the kitchen, far removed from the risks and dangers of the dreaded house above. But there was a grating in the brick wall of the house, just below the floor level of the kitchen above, through which Arrietty could see the garden—a piece of graveled path and a bank where crocus blooms in spring. (2.2)
The grate is like a window to the outside world for the borrowers, but only Arrietty seems to appreciate it. It's strange that Homily does not get the same desire for freedom that Arrietty does. We'd like to think that just about everybody would want to go for a stroll along that graveled path and frolic among the flowers.
Quote #2
"Strong gates," said Pod, "gates you can't open. What are they there for?"
"Against the mice?" said Arrietty.
"Yes," agreed Pod uncertainly, as though he gave her half a mark, "but mice never hurt no one. What else?"
[…]
"Cats?" echoed Arrietty, surprised.
"Or to keep you in?" suggested Pod. (6.17-19, 22-23)
You mean all that time those gates weren't to protect Arrietty, they were to imprison her? Yikes. We have to say, we lost a bit of respect for Pod here. He's not just a benevolent daddy. He's kind of a helicopter parent, too. We bet this is one seriously shocking moment for Arrietty. Imagine how you'd feel if your parents were secretly locking you in.
Quote #3
"You see, Pod," went on Homily, "it was different for you and me. There was other families, other children […] we had more, as you might say, freedom." (6.62)
Ah-ha. So Pod and Homily lived more freely in their youth, but they don't want their child to enjoy the same freedom? They sound a little hypocritical to us. Learning a little more about their past certainly sheds some rather interesting light on their present parenting.
Quote #4
"Ah, yes," said Pod, "in a way. But where does freedom take you?" He looked up uncertainly. "Where are they all now?" (6.63)
Pod makes a good point—where are all the other borrowers in the novel? They seem to have disappeared entirely, and if you listen to Pod, that's because they were given freedom.
Quote #5
"And it'll give her a bit of interest like and stop her hankering."
"Hankering for what?"
"For blue sky and grass and such like." (6.73-75)
Hankering? Really? Arrietty's desire for freedom is clearly a lot stronger than just a hankering. It's not something that will be satisfied by one trip above the floorboards.
Quote #6
"It's not that I'm afraid," cried Arrietty angrily; "I like cats. I bet the cat didn't eat Eggletina. I bet she just ran away because she hated being cooped up… day after day… week after week… year after year… Like I do!" she added on a sob. (6.53)
Here's a hint that Arrietty is starting to take what her parents tell her with a grain—oops we mean boulder of salt. Why should she believe the whole Eggletina-got-gobbled-by-a-cat story if her parents have been lying to her about other stuff, too?
Quote #7
Arrietty put her face into her hands. "Gates…" she gasped, "gates, gates, gates…" (6.55)
Poor girl. This is definitely a low point for Arrietty on her quest for freedom. It seems that everywhere she turns there's a locked gate keeping her out of the whole wide world.
Quote #8
"Eggletina had brothers and Eggletina had half-brothers; Eggletina had a tame mouse; […] and Eggletina did get out—just once!" (6.57)
Pod and Homily's style of parenting definitely differs from that of Eggletina's parents. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Quote #9
She was so full of happiness that, out of Homily's sight, her toes danced on the green moss. Here she was on the other side of the grating—here she was at last, on the outside—looking in! (8.18)
An external change can sometimes cause an internal one. In this case, a change of scenery brings about a big shift in Arrietty's inner world. How can she not crave adventure after tasting fresh air for the first time?
Quote #10
Stealthily my brother drew off his gloves and began to move backwards… slowly… slowly… toward the green baize door […]
My brother slid through the barely opened door and it sighed to behind him, closing out the noise. He took a few steps on tiptoe down the dark kitchen passage and then ran. (19.64-65)
Borrowers aren't the only ones who want freedom. Humans, too, crave the sweet stuff. But in this case, the boy's need for freedom is directly related to his desire to save the borrowers from the rat-catcher. He's a pretty selfless kid.