How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"The only way to get somewhere, you know, is to figure out where you’re going before you get there."
Rabbit catches a whiff of whiskey. He says in a level way, "I don’t think so."[…] Rabbit pulls out, going straight. Everybody who tells you how to act has whiskey on their breath. (1.102-103)
This is in some ways foreshadowing, and in some ways Rabbit projecting his worries over Janice’s drinking onto the world. Everybody tells Rabbit what to do, whiskey breath or not. We can also note that the gas station attendant’s advice is moot for Rabbit – even when he knows where he’s going, he doesn’t – he’s always torn between at least two places.
Quote #5
"What sort of mess?" "I don’t know. My wife’s an alcoholic." "And have you tried to help her?" "Sure. How?" "Did you drink with her?" "No sir, never." […] "Perhaps you should have," Tothero offers, after a moment. "Perhaps if you had shared this pleasure with her, she could have controlled it." (1.145-1.151)
Just when we thought we were in the middle of a temperance narrative! Tothero’s provocative argument is worth considering, or is it?
Quote #6
"We didn’t win," Tothero repeats, and calls "Waiter." When the boy comes Tothero asks for another round of the same drinks.
"No, not for me, thanks," Rabbit says. "I’m high enough on this as it is." (2.81-2.83)
In some ways, the novel thwarts male stereotypes. Who would've thought a six foot three, red-blooded American male would get tipsy off one daiquiri? It also thwarts the stereotype that only so-called promiscuous women like Margaret and Ruth can be alcoholics. In fact, Ruth, the novel’s most sexually free character, only drinks on two occasions in the novel.