Masterpiece

“Marvin secretly admired the painting very much. He sometimes climbed all the way up the brass floor lamp for a better view of the bold blue streak at its center. While the painting didn’t look like a horse, it felt like a horse: fast and graceful and free.”

Here, Marvin shows his first interest in art while admiring Karl’s painting in the living room of the Pompadays’ apartment. This scene shows Marvin’s aptitude for understanding the deeper meaning of artwork and foreshadows his own exploration into the world of art. This quote also introduces Karl’s artistic talent, showing why he chose to gift James a pen and ink set.

“Marvin smiled happily. He realized that James could not for one minute see his expression, but he suspected somehow that the boy knew anyway.”

This quote reveals the understanding that Marvin and James share, even in their earliest moments. Though they cannot communicate, their friendship grows non-verbally, and they can understand one another on a deeper level. Marvin has never had this kind of connection to a human before, which adds to the significance of the moment.

“I know. Isn’t it splendid? I can’t wait to show it to the Mortons. They’re always purchasing those fancy little sketches at Sotheby’s for outrageous sums. Wait till they see what my own child has drawn.”

This quote by Mrs. Pompaday characterizes her interest in appearances. She is excited about James’s talent, not because it makes James special, but because she can show it off to her friends and boast. This contributes to Mrs. Pompaday’s characterization as someone interested in impressing others more than anything else. Her quote also foreshadows the conflict later in the book when the Mortons offer to buy Marvin’s drawing.

“Who could forget about Uncle George, whose fate was the subject of frequent cautionary lectures by the adults in the family? The lead tuba player in the neighborhood band, Uncle George had ventured out one night with the bass guitarist to retrieve a piece of dry macaroni (his preferred instrument) from beneath the stove. They were intercepted by a particularly bold and hungry mouse. The guitarist escaped, but Uncle George was not so lucky.”

The story of Uncle George reveals many sides of beetle life. The beetles’ miniscule size leaves them vulnerable to a multitude of threats and forces them to use small items to supplement their wants and needs. Uncle George was a respected musician and had to take risks to retrieve items he could use for his music. Uncle George’s story also shows that creativity is not uncommon amongst the beetles, though it’s sometimes risky for beetles to pursue creative aspirations.

“‘Come with us,’ he whispered. ‘To see the drawings. Don’t you want to?’ He rested one big pale finger on the desktop next to Marvin, his eyes urgent. ‘Come on, I’ll take care of you. We’ll be back soon.’”

Here we see James’s consideration for Marvin. He knows Marvin would enjoy seeing the art and assures Marvin that Marvin will be safe with him. This is one of the first gestures of kindness that James extends to Marvin after receiving the drawing, and in return, Marvin gives James his trust.

“Marvin thought of her somewhere out here in the huge, hurrying world. Did she regret her boldness? Or had it been the first essential step, opening her life to new, unprecedented adventures?”

Here, Marvin thinks about his Aunt Cecile, who left the Pompadays’ apartment through the window, parachuting down with an empty tea bag. Marvin wonders how her venture into the outside world worked out for her. This anecdote foreshadows Marvin’s own adventure as he and James visit the museum and get wrapped up in Christina’s plan to forge Fortitude.

“Marvin inched forward to hear her words more clearly. She’s talking about my drawing! he thought with delight. She’s comparing it to these famous pictures!”

Marvin feels delight when Christina expresses fondness for his drawing. He’s excited at her comparison to the works hung in the museum. This quote both emphasizes Marvin’s artistic talent and foreshadows Christina’s request that James attempt to copy Fortitude.

“Marvin couldn’t take his eyes off the drawing: the strong, solitary woman, with her sword at her side and the brass scales dangling from one hand. He wanted to draw like this. He wanted to be inside the head of Albrecht Dürer, adding each particular detail, getting closer and closer to the truth.”

This stresses Marvin’s understanding of artistic expression as well as his own aspirations within the artistic field. The reverence Marvin has for Dürer’s work is clear in the way Marvin dissects his drawings. This quote also contributes to the idea that there is truth to be found in art.

“There was nothing more vulnerable in the world than a beetle on its back. He twisted and turned, desperately trying to flip himself. This was something he and Elaine had practiced at home, with varying degrees of success. He was much better at it than Elaine, he reminded himself, summoning his last shred of strength. Fortitude, he thought grimly.”

Marvin places a lot of value in the art that he and James see at the museum. With the idea of Fortitude fresh in his head, Marvin summons the strength to remove himself from a potentially deadly situation. This plays into the theme of fortitude that the book touches on regularly throughout the narrative.

“He had never seen James look so happy and relieved. That’s because James was worried about me, he realized. That’s because we’re friends.”

After spending an entire night in Christina’s office, Marvin is happy to be reunited with James. James is relieved to find Marvin, not just because Marvin is the one who will do the artwork for James but because James and Marvin have formed a connection. Marvin affirms his belief that he and James are friends.

“It didn’t help to think that way, Marvin decided…just like it didn’t help to think about the dark water in the drain, or what might be floating there when you were about to dive in. Your only hope was to stop thinking and do it.”

This takes place right before Marvin makes his first attempt to replicate Fortitude. Marvin forces himself to not think about the possibility of danger or failure as he begins the formidable task. Marvin’s thoughts carry the themes of fortitude and prudence, and how not every courageous decision benefits from wisdom.

“People like James weren’t treated right by the world, Marvin decided. The quiet ones never were. They were doomed to be jostled, bullied, and overlooked because they didn’t know how to take up space for themselves, to insist on their own share.”

This quote explains Marvin’s desire to help James. Marvin believes James deserves better than what the world has offered him after seeing how James is treated by his family and the boys at his birthday party. Marvin’s reflections touch on justice; Marvin wishes to help make things better for James, who isn’t treated the way he deserves to be.

“He thought of Dürer’s four drawings: Justice, Fortitude, Temperance, Prudence. If you had to choose one virtue, which would be the most important? Was it better to be wise or brave? Reasonable or fair? Marvin decided that the answer to that question might depend on your situation.”

This brings up the ideas behind the virtues and the relationship between them. Marvin ponders which virtue is the most important but ultimately decides that the virtues need to be applied to each situation individually. Marvin understands the importance of justice, fortitude, temperance, and prudence when applied pragmatically to various conflicts in life.

“The thing is, she’s so proud of me, you know? That’s not how she is, usually. And it’s not even for something I did—it’s for something you did.”

James opens up to Marvin about his inner turmoil. James feels as though his mom isn’t normally proud of him and that he must do something extraordinary to get the attention he desires from her. He acknowledges that he isn’t even the one creating the drawings. This compounds the pain he feels at his mother’s lack of pride with the guilt he feels claiming Marvin’s drawings as his own.

“He was certain that he was looking at the original. As faithfully as he had followed Dürer’s lines, as carefully and reverently as he’d copied each whorl of hair and bulge of sinew, Marvin knew that the intricate strokes in the artwork before him weren’t his.”

Marvin helplessly realizes that the drawing hanging in the museum—the drawing that is about to be stolen—is the real Fortitude and not his copy. Marvin’s ability to recognize his own work speaks to his artistic talents; he feels connection with his drawings, even the forged ones. Marvin has studied the real work intricately at this point and knows for sure that he’s not looking at his own.

“At first, Marvin was overcome with relief. Denny was here! Now everything would be all right. Surely he would recognize the drawing as Dürer’s original. He and Christina must have discovered their mistake. The ruse was over. Fortitude would be on its way back to the Met in no time!”

Marvin trusts Denny and believes Denny would never steal the real Fortitude. Marvin is tired from his long journey and feels relieved that it is over. The quote’s overly optimistic tone illustrates Marvin’s deep desire for the mess he’s in to be tidied up neatly.

“So Christina hadn’t known! So many feelings raced through Marvin that he barely remembered to hide himself when Denny walked toward the desk to get his coat. In the shadow of the newspaper, he slumped in relief. Christina was not involved. Her love for drawings was real. Her friendship with James and Karl was true.”

Here, Marvin basks in relief upon learning that Christina was not part of Denny’s plan to steal Fortitude. Marvin had grown fond of Christina and related to her deep love for and admiration of Dürer’s drawings. Marvin was heartbroken when he believed that Christina had intentionally switched the drawings, thinking she’d betrayed them and used James for her plan. Now, Marvin feels better, knowing she was not involved.

“Marvin saw her look at his drawing and close her eyes, and he flinched with the realization that something he’d made could cause anyone such grief.”

For the first time, Marvin feels sorrow about one of his works. He cares about Christina and knowing that the forged version of Fortitude causes her pain breaks him inside. This moment is juxtaposed with Denny’s attempts to comfort Christina despite being the one who took the drawings. Marvin cannot stand to see Christina so upset, while Denny is able to put on a facade and lie to her, knowing he’s caused her pain.

“He hung up and looked down triumphantly at Marvin. ‘We did it!’ he crowed, dancing around the table. ‘Dad and Christina weren’t there—they’d gone to look for me—but Denny’s going to find them and tell them, and then they’ll all come over here. Everything’s going to be fine!’”

This quote uses irony to create a comedic effect while also building tension. Marvin knows that Denny is the thief, but James does not. When James celebrates telling Denny that he’s found the drawings, Marvin and the reader are the only ones who know that this has created more danger.

“‘Oh, my God,’ he said again. ‘Christina…Christina, it’s all of them.’ Marvin saw Christina’s knees buckle, and Karl caught her elbow to keep her from falling.”

Here we see the significance of the discovery of the four Virtues together. Christina’s love for Dürer and his art is so intense that she physically buckles at the idea that his long-lost drawings are together. The retrieval of the drawings is not just significant to a passionate admirer like Christina, but to the art world as a whole.

“After a minute, Karl said, ‘Look at the expression on Justice’s face,’ he said. ‘This is why she looks so sad.’ James glanced up at his father, and Karl explained, ‘Because the right thing to do can be so awful sometimes.’”

This takes place right after James asks sadly if Denny must go to jail. Karl takes the opportunity to explain that not everything about the virtues is happy. Sometimes, justice takes great sacrifice or causes great sadness. The nuanced take on justice and the other virtues stresses their significance to the novel’s plot and to humanity.

“When you saw different parts of the world, you saw different parts of yourself. And when you stayed home, where it was safe, those parts of yourself also stayed hidden.”

Marvin ponders his adventure after Elaine tells him he’s lucky to have seen the world outside the apartment. Marvin realizes that it took the dangers and risks of the outside world to reveal new aspects of himself. Marvin has summoned fortitude throughout his adventure, which he’d never had an opportunity to do before.

“James nodded emphatically, pleased with himself. Marvin smiled up at him. They might not be able to talk to each other, but there were so many other ways to say what they meant.”

Here we see the essence of James and Marvin’s friendship. Despite their inability to speak to one another, they can hold conversations and communicate through other means. Marvin appreciates the connection he has with James and knows that James will understand him no matter what.