“Aw, Cripes, he isn’t going to whip you just because you got seventh period.”

Initially, Cal lacks compassion for Gretchen and doesn’t believe the severity of her circumstances. His diction—“Aw, Cripes”—reflects how some teens talked in the middle of the 20th century, with “Cripes” meaning “Christ.”

“We sat in our God-assigned chairs at the dark mahogany dinner table.”

Cal uses narrative humor as he sets up a typical family dinner. The nightly event is predictable, so much so that he likens it to a divine requirement. However, Cal’s parents—not God—created the staid formula, suggesting that the rules and beliefs in Cal’s household are rigid.

“[M]y dad, seeing me in the truck, started clanging the bell like crazy and I couldn’t help but notice how happy and proud he looked.”

West uses imagery to highlight Horace’s connection to the streetcars. When Cal sees him in the truck, Horace is “happy and proud.” The streetcars give Horace’s life purpose, and, though they’re not people, Horace arguably reserves most of his compassion for the streetcars.