How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
They treated me like a man, and even talked to me like a man. (15.109)
This has got to feel good: Billy is at the hunting competition, and all the dudes are treating him just like one of the guys. No wonder it's a highlight of his life.
Quote #8
Feeling big and important, I said, "I don't like the looks of this weather. We'd better be scooting for home." (18.106)
Winning the hunting competition gives Billy the confidence to make proclamations about the weather—again, just like a man who's watching out for the weaker members of his group. We're getting the picture that grown-up masculinity in Billy's eyes has a lot to do with standing up for the weak. (Well, it's better than some alternative forms of manliness we can think of.)
Quote #9
"Billy," he said, "there are times in a boy's life when he has to stand up like a man. This is one of those times." (19.166)
"Be a man" can sound pretty harsh—but in this case, it seems to give Billy the courage he needs. Being a man is an idea that Billy works toward. (And we have to say, that sounds a lot better than grown men playing Xbox on their parents' couch in suspended adolescence.)