Rules of Civility

“‘Friends,’ Casper observed, ‘are the envy of angels.’” 

From the beginning of the narrative, Katey underscores how much her life has changed due to the friends she made in 1938. This quote highlights the importance of the burgeoning friendship between Katey, Eve, and Tinker.

“She didn’t need to find Jesus anymore, I thought to myself; he had already come looking for her.” 

Katey ruminates about Eve’s near-death experience in the car accident; Eve’s brush with death hints that Jesus was “looking for her.” After the accident, Eve defies death and her life becomes miraculous.

“Old times, my father used to say: If you’re not careful, they’ll gut you like a fish.” 

Throughout the book, Katey thinks back to particular moments in her past even as she’s crafting her future. Here, she remembers sage advice from her father. Depending on one’s station in life, memories can either make one feel better or worse.