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Malvonne
Acton is the arrogant young man (the “rooster,” as Joe puts it) that Dorcas leaves Joe for. Whereas Joe is patient with Dorcas, Acton is often critical of her, refusing her public displays of affection and making disparaging remarks about her weight. Felice notes that Dorcas chases after Acton in much the same way that Joe chases after Dorcas. Acton is present at the party where Dorcas is shot, and they are dancing together when Joe arrives (though Acton seems inappropriately nonchalant about his lover’s serious injuries).
Acton Quotes in Jazz
The Jazz quotes below are all either spoken by Acton or refer to Acton. 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
They agree on everything above the waist and below: muscle, tendon, bone joint and marrow cooperate. And if the dancers hesitate, have a moment of doubt, the music will solve and dissolve any question.
Dorcas is happy. Happier than she has ever been any time. No white strands grow in her partner’s mustache. He is up and coming. Hawk-eyed, tireless and a little cruel. He has never given her a present or even thought about it. Sometimes he is where he says he will be; sometimes not. Other women want him—badly—and he has been selective. What they want and the prize it is his to give is his savvy self. What could a pair of silk stockings be compared to him? No contest. Dorcas is lucky. Knows it. And is as happy as she has ever been any time.
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I want to sleep, but it is clear now. So clear the dark bowl the pile of oranges. Just oranges. Bright. Listen. I don’t know who is that woman singing but I know the words by heart.
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Get the entire Jazz LitChart as a printable PDF.
Acton Quotes in Jazz
The Jazz quotes below are all either spoken by Acton or refer to Acton. 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
They agree on everything above the waist and below: muscle, tendon, bone joint and marrow cooperate. And if the dancers hesitate, have a moment of doubt, the music will solve and dissolve any question.
Dorcas is happy. Happier than she has ever been any time. No white strands grow in her partner’s mustache. He is up and coming. Hawk-eyed, tireless and a little cruel. He has never given her a present or even thought about it. Sometimes he is where he says he will be; sometimes not. Other women want him—badly—and he has been selective. What they want and the prize it is his to give is his savvy self. What could a pair of silk stockings be compared to him? No contest. Dorcas is lucky. Knows it. And is as happy as she has ever been any time.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
I want to sleep, but it is clear now. So clear the dark bowl the pile of oranges. Just oranges. Bright. Listen. I don’t know who is that woman singing but I know the words by heart.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
