Okay for Now

“So what?” 

This is a popular phrase used by Doug throughout the book. In this instance, he is questioning why it matters that people enjoy the library. The frequent use of this question demonstrates Doug’s constant attempt to distance himself emotionally from everything and everyone. 

“When people walked by, they’d look at me like I didn’t belong there. You know what that feels like after a while?”

Doug has this thought when he is sitting outside the library. The issue of not belonging is one of the most prevalent issues in his life. His home life does not provide him with a sense of belonging, and seeing as his family moved cities, he also must contend with the sense of not belonging to his physical location either.

“I didn’t want Mrs. The-Library-Isn’t-Open Merriman’s eyes looking at me like I was something on the bottom of her shoe when I went up there. I just didn’t.” 

Doug has this thought when he decides to wait for Mrs. Merriman to be busy with other guests before going to look at the picture of the Arctic ern. The quote demonstrates one of the many the ways in which Doug’s socioeconomic class effects people’s perception of him.

The quote also shows that Doug finds art to be sacred, even if he won’t admit it.

“Isn’t it a beauty? You can feel its body plummeting through the air.” 

Mr. Powell says this to Doug about the drawing of the Arctic Tern. The quote challenges Doug’s assumption that something beautiful has to be moving in a positive direction and allows him to understand that beauty comes from struggle. 

“Chumps draw. Girls with pink bicycle chains draw. I don’t draw.” 

Doug has this line of thought after Mr. Powell asks him if he likes to draw. The quote reveals one of Doug’s inner conflicts: though Doug likes to draw, he associates drawing with weakness and femininity and therefore disassociates from it. In general, the quote demonstrates Doug’s determination to fill his masculine role. 

“I tried to remember the last time anyone told me I was pretty good at anything.” 

This passage depicts Doug’s reaction after his drawing receives praise from both Mr. Powell and Lil. The quote is significant because it explains a lot of Doug’s behavior in the book. All of the feedback he gets is negative, whether from his father, brother, educators, or boss, so it makes sense that his actions reflect this sentiment.

“[H]ow can you smile like that, and be sobbing and sobbing all over the peaches and pears?” 

Doug asks this question to himself after he sees his mom cry happy tears over the return of Lucas. The question is significant in that the smiles in this book are never reflective of the joy they are supposed to represent. The quote also calls to attention the high value which Doug places on his mother’s smile and happiness.

“[A]n artist has to know how to give an impression of depth.” 

While trying to draw the large-billed puffins’ feet, Doug has this thought. The quote reflects both the immediate context and Doug’s life in general. In many instances, such as in school and at the library, he is forced to “give an impression of depth” because people assume that his socioeconomic background has not allowed him to be deep (112). 

“In general, I adhere to the notion that things belong in the class to which they have been assigned.” 

Mr. Ferris says this to Doug when Doug asks him how he feels about the pelican drawing on Principal Peattie’s wall. This quote is ironic since Mr. Ferris is constantly trying to help Doug re-write the social class to which he has been assigned. It brings to mind one of the main questions of the book: How can we tell where something belongs?

“You shouldn’t count on anything. That’s the way it is in this freaking world. You’re nothing but a big jerk if you do.” 

Doug’s father says this to Doug on the way home from his company picnic, where Doug and his father’s boss just won the trivia contest his father was been planning on winning. This quote is significant because it later explains his father’s behavior, and because it teaches Doug to see hope as a weakness. 

“They will find possibility there.” 

Mr. Ferris says this to Doug’s class in reference to the upcoming moon landing. The comment changes Doug’s life because it allows him, for the first time, to see life as a set of possibilities rather than a set of limitations. 

“Think of it the whole way around, even the parts you don’t see.” 

Mr. Powell offers this advice to Doug when he is trying to teach him to draw gesture. The quote’s significance lies in the way it reflects Doug’s desire to make things whole. For example, he wants to make whole the Audubon collection, his family, Lucas, and eventually ill Lil. 

“All movement relies on […] tension.” 

While teaching him to draw the Fork-tailed Petrels, Mr. Powell makes this comment to Doug. The comment teaches Doug that there is no gain without struggle, and that he will not be able to move forward without some backlash along the way. 

“[W]hat’s the point of talking?” 

Lucas asks this question often after he gets home for the war. The question proves to be one of the central questions of the novel. The family uses silence as a defense mechanism for years; it’s only when they start communicating with each other that they begin to have a healthy relationship. 

“Not everyone gets to see who they want to see again.”

Lucas says this to Christopher and Doug after Lucas reveals that he knows Mrs. Merriman’s family member is MIA. The quote puts emphasis on the power of sight, an idea that is constantly teased throughout the novel. 

“‘It’s a little big’ said Mrs. Stetson. ‘It’s perfect’ said Mr. Ballard.’’ 

This exchange between Mr. Ballard and his secretary, Mrs. Stetson, refers to the flight jacket Mr. Ballard ends up giving Doug. This moment is significant in Doug’s life because for so long people have been assuming that he is not mature enough to handle things, but now Mr. Ballard is acknowledging that he is able to take on things that others have deemed “a little big” (273). 

“You know how pretty someone can be when she opens up a book?” 

Doug thinks this about Lil when they are studying at the library together. The quote reveals how significant of a role education now plays in Doug’s life. Whereas previously Doug regarded an investment in education as somewhere between superfluous and dangerous, he now sees at as a source of strength and beauty. 

“He wouldn’t move if a hurricane blew in. That’s what makes him noble.” 

Doug has this thought about the Brown Pelican. Doug has a history of speaking without censoring himself, and thus, the Brown Pelican’s ability to remain still even in moments of commotion is awe-inspiring. 

“[A]nd I’m not lying.” 

In this instance, Doug is defending his position about how boring Our Town is, but throughout the book, Doug says this phrase quite often and in several different contexts. The quote shows how deeply distrustful Doug is of the world around him due to many of his family members being liars. Even though he himself is honest, he feels the need to constantly be on the defensive.

“How can a guy play the voice of Bertha Mason?” 

Doug imagines Joe Pepitone having this thought about him when he realizes that Doug is playing the part of a girl. This line shows how strictly Doug believes in rigid gender roles and exposes his deep-seated fragile masculinity.

“It’s not so bad when you are chumps together.” 

Doug has this thought after he and Mr. Spicer cry together over Lil’s sickness. This quote reveals how deeply Doug has changed over the course of the novel. Throughout the book, his greatest fear is to be considered a chump, so for him to claim this label shows what great strides he has made.

“We have what we remember.” 

Mr. Powell says this to Doug when he is encouraging Doug to draw the Snowy Heron from memory. This quote is important because Doug spends a lot of time feeling badly about his lack of personal property, so for Mr. Powell to imply he owns his memories and that is what is important, allows Doug to have a completely different grasp on life. 

“It’s all in the balance.” 

Lucas says this to Doug after he successfully backs his wheelchair up the library steps. This bit of dialogue calls attention to the importance of balance in this novel. Doug’s mother is always trying to achieve balance within her family and her garden, and Doug is always trying to find balance on the page.