How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Section.Paragraph)
Quote #4
They were obviously ascending, and within a few minutes the car was crossing a high rise, where they caught a glimpse of a pale moon newly risen in the distance. The car stopped suddenly and several figures took shape out of the dark beside it—these were negroes also. Again the two young men were saluted in the same dimly recognizable dialect; then the negroes set to work and four immense cables dangling from overhead were attached with hooks to the hubs of the great jeweled wheels. At a resounding "Hey-yah!" John felt the car being lifted slowly from the ground— up and up—clear of the tallest rocks on both sides—then higher, until he could see a wavy, moonlit valley stretched out before him in sharp contrast to the quagmire of rocks that they had just left. Only on one side was there still rock—and then suddenly there was no rock beside them or anywhere around. (2.16)
There's something almost ritualistic in the way that Percy and John travel slowly to their destination. There are stations on the way, and certain procedures which must be observed. The process has an air of sacred secrecy about it, like some sort of cult ceremony.
Quote #5
[The prisoners:] "Come on down to Hell!" (6.17)
Again we're faced with the duality of Heaven and Hell. The Washington estate is presented as an Eden, a garden of paradise, and here, below ground (fittingly), the men are in Hell.
Quote #6
He did not know that the little gold football (inscribed with the legend Pro deo et patria et St. Midas) which he had given her rested on a platinum chain next to her bosom. (7.1)
"Pro deo et patria" is a common motto for many schools, and translates from the Latin to "For God and country." The St. Midas motto, of course, has a double meaning: for God and country and the school, but also for God and country and the worship of wealth.