Previous
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Records and music represent shared humanity, particularly the idea that no matter how different another person might seem, it’s still possible to connect with them. Linus first begins to connect with Lucy over music and records, as both of them love records specifically and share many of the same favorite artists, such as Bobby Darin, the Big Bopper, and Buddy Holly. While Lucy dramatically and antagonistically claims that his musical tastes are driven primarily by the fact that he loves “dead people music” (by which he means music by deceased artists), it’s impossible for Linus to ignore Lucy’s obvious love for the music. Seeing Lucy singing and dancing along with classics such as “Beyond the Sea” make Lucy seem human and relatable—not like the dangerous and unknowable Antichrist that Linus initially believes him to be.
The novel continues to explore the humanizing power of music when the children take a field trip to the village of Marsyas. Lucy wants to buy records, and at the record store, he immediately hits it off with the record store owner, J-Bone. Lucy idolizes J-Bone because J-Bone works in a record store—which Lucy characterizes as extremely cool and an enviable job—while J-Bone appreciates Lucy’s enthusiasm for the “Golden Oldies.” And when J-Bone’s employee Martin tries to exorcise Lucy, J-Bone scolds him not just for attempting to hurt a child, but for gatekeeping music, which J-Bone insists is for everyone. The novel thus shows how music draws the characters together, revealing their shared humanity and highlighting how similar people can be despite perceived differences.
Records and Music Quotes in The House in the Cerulean Sea
The The House in the Cerulean Sea quotes below all refer to the symbol of Records and Music. 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:
).
Chapter 8 Quotes
“You’ve always wanted to see the ocean.”
“Dreams are merely that—dreams. They’re meant to be flights of fancy. They’re not necessarily supposed to come true.”
“And yet, here you are by the sea, far from your chair and your home.” She stopped and turned her face toward the sky. “There’s music everywhere, Mr. Baker. You just have to learn to listen for it.”
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 14 Quotes
“So not cool, man,” J-Bone scolded the unconscious Marty. “Like, for real. Music is for everyone.”
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire The House in the Cerulean Sea LitChart as a printable PDF.
"My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." -Graham S.
Records and Music Symbol Timeline in The House in the Cerulean Sea
The timeline below shows where the symbol Records and Music appears in The House in the Cerulean Sea. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
...work anniversary) and starts his laundry. Then, he puts the Everly Brothers on his Victrola record player and prepares dinner for himself and Calliope.
(full context)
Chapter 6
...main house and lets himself in when nobody responds to his knocks. He can hear music coming from deep in the house, and since he can’t see anyone, he follows the...
(full context)
Chapter 9
...Lucy opens the door to reveal a small room with a bed, dresser, and vinyl records hung on the walls. Linus recognizes most of them—and that the artists are primarily Buddy...
(full context)
Chapter 12
...This, Arthur explains, was Lucy’s idea—and it isn’t something dead. Inside is a vintage portable record player. Linus babbles about it for a moment before thanking Arthur and announcing that he’ll...
(full context)
...and then excuses himself. Linus stands still, listening to the love song playing on the record player. Then, he sees an orange flash outside. He decides it was just a trick...
(full context)
Chapter 13
Linus climbs the vibrating stairs as jumbled music plays. All the doors on the second floor slam shut when Linus reaches the top,...
(full context)
Noticing his broken records, Lucy cries that he broke some of his favorites. Linus explains that they can glue...
(full context)
Chapter 14
When they get to the record store, Lucy and the young—and clearly stoned—employee, J-Bone, immediately hit it off. J-Bone comments approvingly...
(full context)
...busts the door down and finds Marty unconscious, J-Bone looking angry, and Lucy flipping through records. Lucy explains that Marty tried to exorcise him and excitedly pulls out a record. J-Bone,...
(full context)
...her mom if she says Talia is “bad.” Lucy interjects and asks to purchase the records, noting that because J-Bone isn’t a square, they can’t steal them. But J-Bone tells Lucy...
(full context)
...concerning happened, but Lucy loudly shares that he threw Marty into a wall and got records for free. Arthur ushers everyone inside.
(full context)
Chapter 16
...damage. But the important thing, Arthur says, is that Lucy is a child who loves music, like any other—and all kids deserve protection and love. Magical children hear people say all...
(full context)
Chapter 17
...way.” Linus, Zoe, Arthur, and the children spend the afternoon eating, laughing, and listening to music. Finally, Lucy puts on Nat King Cole, and Arthur asks Linus to dance. Linus accepts,...
(full context)
Chapter 18
...doesn’t believe it. He changes, makes dinner for Calliope and for himself, and puts on music. But Linus must not have put his records away properly before he left, because instead...
(full context)
...a poet, and he cares about everyone. And Lucy is an imaginative boy who loves music.
(full context)
