Novel: Quicksand
Passage: How her maladjustment had
bothered him I She had a faint notion that it
was behind his ready assent to her suggestion
anent a longer engagement than, originally, they
had planned.
Definition: About
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anent
Understanding: Helga is talking about how they thought her engagement was longer then they had planned on it being.
Novel: Quicksand
Passage: That was the crux of the whole matter.
For Helga, it accounted for everything, her
failure here in Naxos, her former loneliness in
Nashville. It even accounted for her engagement to James.
Definition:Â an essential point requiring resolution or resolving an outcome
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crux
Understanding: This is when Helga realizes that she will not be able to solve he engagement issue. It is a problem that needs a resolution. Therefore it is a crux.
“It was, too, as she was uncomfortably aware even a trifle ridiculous, and mentally caricatured herself, moving shuttle like from continent to continent.
Trifle (noun)
Something of little or no importance
Moving back and forth from continent to continent made began to make her feel a little irrelevant. She had not planted her feet long enough in one place to be taken seriously. She may have been her own worst critic but, moving about the way she did made her feel unimportant.
“That’s one of the reasons I never wanted to get married. The last thing I wanted was infinite security and to be the place an arrow shoots off from. I want change and excitement and to shoot off from a Fourth of July rocket”.
http://i.word.com/idictionary/infinite
infinite (adjective)
immeasurably or inconceivably great or extensive
Helga feared the idea of being kept. Marriage would mean that it would last forever, and he would be there to secure her indefinitely. Helga was looking for excitement in her life. Whatever changes they were to be made were not to include a man that would stagnate her. Marriage to Helga would almost feel like she was being held hostage.
“That morning , I had tried to hang myself. I had taken the silk cord of my mothers yellow bathrobe As soon as she left for work, and in the Amber shade of the bedroom, fashioned it into a knit that slipped up and down on itself. It took me a long time to do this, because I was poor at knits and had no idea how to make one”
http://i.word.com/idictionary/suicide
Suicide (noun)
The act or instance of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally especially by a person of years of discretion and if sound mind
Though the specific word suicide was not in this passage I feel it is of great assistance in understanding the passage. This particular passage is an explanation of how Helga tried to take her own life. Her making knits and knits in the silk cord showed her volunteering to take her own life.
Intermingling- (verb)
Definition: to mix together
Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intermingle
Found in: “Quicksand” By, Nella Larsen (P. 385)
Passage: “The woman felt that the story, dealing as it did with race intermingling and possibly adultery, was beyond definite discussion.”
The word intermingle basically means to combine or mix together. After reading this definition I now understand that the woman felt that the story of mixing race and possibly adultery was a for sure discussion to have.
Donning- (verb)
 Definition: to put on (a piece of clothing)
 Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/don
 Found in: “Quicksand” By, Nella Larsen (P. 382)
 Passage: “Evidently, she had had little time or thought for the careful donning of the five-years-behind-the-mode garments which covered her, and which even in their youth could hardly have fitted or suited her.”
The word don basically means a piece of clothing that you’d change into. Helga used the word don expressing that she didn’t care much to put on those “five-years-behind-the-mode” garments that barely fitted her.
Acute- (adjective)
Definition: having or showing an ability to think clearly and to understand what is not obvious or simple about something; highly developed
Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acute
Found in: “Quicksand” By, Nella Larsen. (P. 380)
Quote: “In the office a few nondescript women sat scattered about on the long rows of chairs. Some were plainly uninterested, others wore an air of acute expectancy, which disturbed Helga.
After reading this definition I now understand that Helga was a little disturbed by the row of women because some seemed to be a little sharp and clever, which may have intimidated her a bit.
Leisure- (noun)
Definition: time when you are not working; time when you can do whatever you want to do
Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leisure
Found in: “Quicksand” By, Nella Larsen. (P. 380)
Quote: “It had been pleasant, the leisure, the walks, the lake, the shops and streets with their gay colors, their movement, after the great quiet of Naxos.”
After finding out the definition of leisure, I now understand that Helga was trying to explain that it was good while it lasted. She enjoyed the free time and relaxation.
Bestowed– (verb)
Definition: to give (something) as a gift or honor
Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interminable
Found in: “Quicksand” By, Nella Larsen. (P. 380)
Quote: “The friendly person at the desk in the hall bestowed on her a kindly smile when Helga stated her business and asked for directions.”
After reading this definition I now understand that bestow means that the person at the desk granted Helga with a kindhearted smile with no hesitation.
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