"Special Topics" Post 3a

Vocabulary
hebetudinous (161): the state of having dullness of mind, mental lethargy
Marlene Dietrich (160): German-born American actress and singer (1904-1992), internationally famous as a film star

Literary Devices
"a revolted expression spilled all over her face" (141): The author uses the verb "spilled" to better describe how a look of disgust unfolded onto Leulah's face as she got her first good look at "Doc".
"We were stationed somewhere, oceans away from home, afraid of being seen. Leulah was shell-shocked, back straight as a flag pole, her eyes magnetized to the door. Jade was the senior officer... I sort of Vietnamed too" (144): This analogy of comparing the girls witnessing Hannah and "Doc" and men surviving the atrocities of Vietnam shows the effect that this event has had on them, how deeply it has influenced them. Even the simile showing Leulah's disbelief: "back as straight as a flag pole" connects to this idea of surviving a war.
"We all went forward and backward together like children on a bus" (156): Although this simile does well describe the phenomenon that occurs when someone slams on the breaks in a car, it also could be interpreted as the author commenting on the child-likeness nature of the prank the Bluebloods are about to pull: sneaking into Hannah's party.

Quote
"...Dad's favorite ("If there are authentic words of love that exist in this English language, these are the ones people with any real affection should say, rather than the shopworn, 'I love you,' which can be uttered by any hebetudinous Tom, Dick, or Moe")" (161). This quote shows the haughtiness and high standards that Blue's father has in almost everything, as well as his pride in his literary knowledge. However, it also shows the respect that Blue has for her father by including a quote that might pertain to Hannah, who she seems to hold in very high regard.

Theme
Don't try and investigate something that is none of your business.