“You're not too messed up at all, you're just as messed up as you should be.”
The quotation exhibits Clive being a proud father to his daughter Emma, despite her recent struggles. Although she has dropped out of medical school and is living back with her parents, she still embraces her flaws and mistakes as part of her identity. Clive is proud of Emma for being who she is, with all of her messiness and imperfections, and he is validating her for that. He recognizes that she is still the same golden girl she was before and that her messiness is simply part of the human experience. Emma struggles throughout the novel, such as taking on her father’s dementia-induced obsession and navigating layers of ambiguous loss. Clive realizes that Emma’s struggles, as difficult as they may be, are an important part of her life journey.
“That’s why we like living with animals so much; they exhibit their joy so outwardly, remind us how to be better alive.”
The statement demonstrates the power of animals to bring joy and to remind us of our potential for joy and aliveness. By highlighting the joy that animals display, the quote implies that humans can learn from animals how to approach life with more openness and enthusiasm. This idea is echoed in the story, which describes how Clive's two dogs, Moses and Rasputin, were excited to see him, demonstrating their joy and their ability to make Clive feel more alive. Animals and humans alike form strong emotional bonds with each other, and these connections can often be the source of happiness and security. By emphasizing the value of our relationships with animals, the statement suggests that we should strive to cultivate meaningful connections in our lives, with both animals and humans.
“People talk a lot about first loves, or the love of your life, but people don’t say as much about the friend of your life.”
The quote implies the importance of friendship, suggesting that it can hold an even greater significance than romantic relationships. Throughout the novel, Emma and her father Clive search for Emma's childhood best friend, Crystal. Even though Crystal is a heroin addict and has been missing for six months, Emma and Clive still go to great lengths to try to find her. Their bond demonstrates that true friendship can be a source of comfort and understanding, and in some cases, even more, meaningful than first romantic love. The quote emphasizes the significance of friendships and the power they can have in our lives. Despite the confusing circumstances of Crystal's disappearance, Emma and Clive continue to search for her, driven by their strong bond.
