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Father
Like his father, Lurie’s mother does not approve of his desire to become a comic-strip artist. She often assumes that Lurie is working on his homework, when he is actually drafting his comic. Though she is less vocal than his father regarding the idea of publication, she disapproves of the fact that Lurie will have to miss school for his meeting with Boy Magazine. Lurie, however, attributes this attitude to his father, feeling that his mother has adopted all of his father’s beliefs. When she intercepts Lurie’s telegram, however, her pride in Lurie begins to show. Thrilled to have received a telegram in his name, she shows it off to their neighbors and even calls family members to let them know. To keep it safe, she locks it in her closet. Similarly, after Lurie’s comic appears in the magazine, she calls their friends and family to share about her “clever” son. Her description irks Lurie, who would prefer to be described with any other term, but her pride in his success is unmistakable.
Mother Quotes in My Greatest Ambition
The My Greatest Ambition quotes below are all either spoken by Mother or refer to Mother. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
My Greatest Ambition Quotes
It hadn’t occurred to me to mention to Miss Gordon that I was thirteen and at school and would have to take a day off to come and see the editor. I didn’t think these things were relevant to our business. But my mother did. A day missed from school could never be caught up, that was her attitude. My father’s attitude you know. A cheque or not a cheque. Was I a rich fool or was I a fool? (No, that’s wrong. Was I a poor fool or a rich fool? Yes, that’s better.)
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Yes, my comic-strip appeared and my friends read it and I was a hero for a day at school. My father held the cheque up to the light and said we’d know in a few days if it was any good. My mother didn’t say much to me but I heard her on the phone explaining to all her friends what a clever son she had. Clever? That’s one word I’ve never had any time for.
I didn’t tell a soul, not even Michael Lazarus, about that awful tour of the factory. I played it very coolly.
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Mother Quotes in My Greatest Ambition
The My Greatest Ambition quotes below are all either spoken by Mother or refer to Mother. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
My Greatest Ambition Quotes
It hadn’t occurred to me to mention to Miss Gordon that I was thirteen and at school and would have to take a day off to come and see the editor. I didn’t think these things were relevant to our business. But my mother did. A day missed from school could never be caught up, that was her attitude. My father’s attitude you know. A cheque or not a cheque. Was I a rich fool or was I a fool? (No, that’s wrong. Was I a poor fool or a rich fool? Yes, that’s better.)
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Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Yes, my comic-strip appeared and my friends read it and I was a hero for a day at school. My father held the cheque up to the light and said we’d know in a few days if it was any good. My mother didn’t say much to me but I heard her on the phone explaining to all her friends what a clever son she had. Clever? That’s one word I’ve never had any time for.
I didn’t tell a soul, not even Michael Lazarus, about that awful tour of the factory. I played it very coolly.
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