Al Capone Does My Shirts

Al Capone Does My Shirts

by

Gennifer Choldenko

Gram Character Analysis

Moose’s grandmother never appears in person in the novel, but she’s cared for both Moose and Natalie at several points over the years. While Natalie spent a lot of time at Gram’s house in Santa Monica, the novel implies that Gram worries even more about Moose and believes that Mom is neglecting him.

Gram Quotes in Al Capone Does My Shirts

The Al Capone Does My Shirts quotes below are all either spoken by Gram or refer to Gram. 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:
Disability, Dignity, and Shared Humanity Theme Icon
).
Chapter 4: American Laugh-Nosed Beet Quotes

“Some cockamamie psychiatrist decides the problem is Natalie doesn’t get enough attention, and Helen ships him off! Our Matthew! I’m happy as a pig in mud to have him here, but it’s a darn fool thing. What child doesn’t have a brother or sister? Half the world has seven or eight. Having a brother didn’t make Natalie the way she is. One look at the two of them together and that big-shot psychiatrist would have known that. He’s the one ought to have his head examined. It’s going to make Nat sicker just having Moose gone.”

Related Characters: Gram (speaker), Moose Flanagan, Natalie Flanagan, Mom/Helen Flanagan, Mrs. Carrie Kelly
Page Number: 24
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 13: One-Woman Commando Unit Quotes

“Gram doesn’t live down the street anymore, honey.” My mom sighs. “We can’t do this without you. Being around kids is good for Natalie. Mrs. Kelly says so. And if she’s to get accepted to the Esther P. Marinoff...”

Related Characters: Mom/Helen Flanagan (speaker), Moose Flanagan, Natalie Flanagan, Mrs. Carrie Kelly, Gram
Page Number: 85
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 37: Carrie Kelly Quotes

I try to go to sleep. But I keep thinking about Natalie at home in Santa Monica—living her life in the back room of our house and on the steps of Gram’s. I rode bikes with Pete, played ball, did my homework. She did not. I will graduate from high school, go to college, get married, have kids. She will not.

[...]

Nothing has helped. But suddenly I see this isn’t true. One thing has helped. Carrie Kelly. Natalie has been more a part of things here on this island than she ever has before. She’s had a life here, for the first time. Maybe just a little bit of a life. But a life just the same.

Related Characters: Moose Flanagan (speaker), Natalie Flanagan, Mrs. Carrie Kelly, Gram, Pete
Related Symbols: Alcatraz
Page Number: 199
Explanation and Analysis:
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Gram Quotes in Al Capone Does My Shirts

The Al Capone Does My Shirts quotes below are all either spoken by Gram or refer to Gram. 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:
Disability, Dignity, and Shared Humanity Theme Icon
).
Chapter 4: American Laugh-Nosed Beet Quotes

“Some cockamamie psychiatrist decides the problem is Natalie doesn’t get enough attention, and Helen ships him off! Our Matthew! I’m happy as a pig in mud to have him here, but it’s a darn fool thing. What child doesn’t have a brother or sister? Half the world has seven or eight. Having a brother didn’t make Natalie the way she is. One look at the two of them together and that big-shot psychiatrist would have known that. He’s the one ought to have his head examined. It’s going to make Nat sicker just having Moose gone.”

Related Characters: Gram (speaker), Moose Flanagan, Natalie Flanagan, Mom/Helen Flanagan, Mrs. Carrie Kelly
Page Number: 24
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 13: One-Woman Commando Unit Quotes

“Gram doesn’t live down the street anymore, honey.” My mom sighs. “We can’t do this without you. Being around kids is good for Natalie. Mrs. Kelly says so. And if she’s to get accepted to the Esther P. Marinoff...”

Related Characters: Mom/Helen Flanagan (speaker), Moose Flanagan, Natalie Flanagan, Mrs. Carrie Kelly, Gram
Page Number: 85
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 37: Carrie Kelly Quotes

I try to go to sleep. But I keep thinking about Natalie at home in Santa Monica—living her life in the back room of our house and on the steps of Gram’s. I rode bikes with Pete, played ball, did my homework. She did not. I will graduate from high school, go to college, get married, have kids. She will not.

[...]

Nothing has helped. But suddenly I see this isn’t true. One thing has helped. Carrie Kelly. Natalie has been more a part of things here on this island than she ever has before. She’s had a life here, for the first time. Maybe just a little bit of a life. But a life just the same.

Related Characters: Moose Flanagan (speaker), Natalie Flanagan, Mrs. Carrie Kelly, Gram, Pete
Related Symbols: Alcatraz
Page Number: 199
Explanation and Analysis: