"Eli went into the kitchen and brought out more coffee cups.'Here,' he said. 'Just brewed.''It's going to be a good day,' said the Lone Ranger. 'I can feel it.' " (Page 409)
This quote references the Maxwell Coffee commercials, making this scene seem almost like one. It emulates the general idea of the commercials, turning something as simple as getting coffee into something more. Right as Lone Ranger comments on how good the day will be, an earthquake begins, and it is revealed that Coyote was singing and dancing, which caused the earthquake. The coffee scene is a good buffer between Eli and the Indians, to the earthquake.
“In the distance, at the edge of the horizon, Babo could see a point of light, a star in the morning sky” (235)
This quote is a Biblical allusion, referencing the Star of Bethlehem. The star acted as a guidance point for the magi, and led them the right way to Bethlehem. The morning star that Babo is seeing is guiding them in the right direction to find the four Indians.
" 'Tomorrow,' Dr. Hovaugh said, leaning back in the chair. 'Tomorrow and tomorrow.' And he drew a second circle around the lake. And a third.'And tomorrow' " (Page 389)
This quote is a Shakespeare reference, alluding to his play Macbeth. In the story, Macbeth's wife has just passed away, and he becomes very depressed. The quote talks about how time passes slowly, taking the character day by day in a melancholy beat. Dr. Hovaugh is facing the trouble of tracking down the four Indians. He's now in Canada and starting to feel the pressure of finding them. The quote is alluded to show the slow process of searching.
"By the time Lionel was six, he knew what he wanted to be.John Wayne" (Page 241)
A big allusion made throughout the book is John Wayne. He is mainly used as Lionel's idol, often coming up as someone he wanted to be like. He connects many of the characters together as they all on their own watch the same western movie with him in it.
"'I know that song,' says Coyote. 'Hosanna da, in-in the highest, hosanna da forever..." (Page 270)This quote is an allusion to Canada's national anthem, Oh Canada. In the novel Coyote tries to sing the song, but messes it up and needs to be corrected. The whole scene in the novel is a Biblical parody, and it adds to the humour that King is trying to portray.
On top of these Biblical and pop culture references, there are also a lot of passages that help identify characters, and reflect on who they are. Some of these passages reveals history of characters, and others demonstrate characteristics of the person (or animal).
For Eli Stands Alone, it was known that before his wife Karen died, she wanted to go back to the Sun Dance, as she enjoyed herself very much the first time. For years Eli would find a way out of going, and dodged answering the question why. The story also has a lot of Eli thinking about what would happen if he returned after so many years. The quote below helps to show that Eli is worried about going back to the Sun Dance, as he didn't leave everyone on the greatest terms.
“Each year was easier. Each year laid more space between who he had become and who he had been. Until he could no longer measure the distance in miles” (Page 287)
One of the biggest and most followed through plots of the story, is Lionel Red Dog and how he cannot get his life together. Numerous characters in the story pester Lionel, trying to get him to do something with his life, and he seems to continue to shrug it off. It's as if he is waiting for some pill that can help him access 100% of his brain, and find the perfect version of himself (allusion to the Bradley Cooper movie Limitless, what do you think of that King?). On the morning of his 40th birthday, Lionel decides he is ready to change his life, and wants to start everything fresh. His morning routine begins with him replacing all of his toiletries. The quote below helps to show the drive in Lionel's soul, and his determination to improve his quality of living.
“Life, Lionel mused as he felt his chest slide on top of his stomach, had become embarrassing. His job was embarrassing. His gold blazer was embarrassing. His car was embarrassing. Norma was right. Alberta wasn’t about to marry an embarrassment. Lionel sucked his stomach in for the fourth time and lurched to a standing position” (Page 239)
In Green Grass Running Water, the four Indians are a huge part of the plot, but their accompanying forest friend Coyote, seems to do little in enhancing the story. He seems more of a humourous addition. What is found out at the end of the story, is that Coyote is the reason for a lot of the Indians' work. They often have to save the world...from Coyote and his mischievous ways. Despite being such a problem to the Indians (and the world), Coyote has a very light-hearted friendly spirit throughout the novel, showing he means no harm, regardless of the fact that he is. The quote below shows the Indians explaining to Coyote how much trouble he is, and how he is not affected by this.
“ ‘But I was helpful, too,’ says Coyote. “That woman who wanted a baby. Now, that was helpful.”
‘Helpful!’ said Robinson Crusoe. ‘You remember the last time you did that?’
‘I’m quite sure I was in Kamloops,’ says Coyote.
‘We haven’t straightened out that mess yet,’ said Hawkeye.
‘Hee-hee,’ says Coyote. ‘Hee-hee.’ (Page 416)
