32 quotes
Marriage Proposals and Personal Preferences
Esther
She may be loathe to say the things a girl's compelled to say to get a proposal out of a man.
Katie
Personally, I wouldn't marry a man who proposed to me over an invention.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Class Distinctions in Housing Choices
Rose Smith
Rich people have houses. People like us live in flats, hundreds of flats in one building.
[on having to live in an aprtment in New York]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Unique Perspective on Death and Mourning
Tootie
I expect she won't live through the night. She has four fatal diseases.
[about her doll]
Mr. Neely
And it only takes one.
Tootie
But she's gonna have a beautiful funeral in a cigar box my Papa gave me, all wrapped in silver paper.
Mr. Neely
That's the way to go if you have to go.
Tootie
Oh, she has to go.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Last Dance in St. Louis
Esther Smith
You're the first human being I've danced with all evening. It's our last dance in St. Louis. I feel like I'm going to cry.
[to her Grandpa]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Child's Pride in Their City
Mr. Neely
It's a grand old town.
[about St. Louis]
Tootie
It isn't a town, Mr. Neely. It's a city. It's the only city that has a world's fair. My favorite. Wasn't I lucky to be born in my favorite city?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Tootie's Doll Retrieval Plan
Tootie Smith
It'll take me at least a week to dig up all my dolls in the cemetery.
[learning that the family must move to New York]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unrequited Love for the Boy Next Door
Esther Smith
How can I ignore the Boy Next Door?I love him more than I can say.Doesn't try to please me, doesn't even tease me.And he never sees me glance his way.And though I'm heartsore, the Boy Next Door,Affection for me won't display.I just adore him, so I can't ignore him,The Boy Next Door.
[singing]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Questioning Family Dynamics and Belonging
Mr. Alonzo Smith
Just when was I voted out of this family?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Missed Marriage Proposal Consequence
Esther Smith
You've just ruined Rose's chance to get married, that's all...That was Warren Sheffield calling long-distance to propose.
[to Mr. Smith, after he hangs up on a caller]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Caution in Romantic Decisions and Familial Pressure
Mrs. Anna Smith
If I were you, I wouldn't commit myself one way or another...after all, we know very little about him. Why, we haven't even met his folks. Not a word of this to Papa. You know how he plagues the girls about their beaus.
[to Rose]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Unique Long-Distance Call in St. Louis
Esther Smith
Well, I'll bet there isn't another girl in St. Louis who's had a Yale man call her long-distance just to inquire about her health.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Prioritizing Life's Values Beyond Romance
Rose Smith
My dear, when you get to be my age, you'll find out there are more important things in life than boys.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Beauty Sleep Is Not Necessary
John Truett
You don't need any beauty sleep.
[to Esther]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Navigating Expectations of Courtship and Engagement
Esther
I'm going to let John Truett kiss me tonight.
Rose
Esther Smith!
Esther
Well, if we're going to get married, I may as well start it.
Rose
Nice girls don't let men kiss them until after they're engaged. Men don't want the bloom rubbed off.
Esther
Personally, I think I have too much bloom. Maybe that's the trouble with me.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Importance of Togetherness and New Beginnings
Esther Smith
New York is a wonderful town. Everybody dreams about going there. But we're luckier than lots of families because we're really going. Wait until you see the fine home we're going to have and the loads and loads of friends we'll make. Wonderful friends. But the main thing, Tootie, is that we're all going to be together just like we've always been. That's what really counts. We could be happy anywhere as long as we're together.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Questioning Career Choices and Happiness
Esther Smith
Well, Papa, if losing a case depresses you so, why don't you quit practicing law and go into another line of business?
[to Mr. Smith]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Longing for Home Over Wealth
Tootie Smith
I'd rather be poor if we could only stay here. I'd rather go with the orphalins at the orphalins home.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Anticipation and Uncertainty in Waiting
Tootie Smith
Did he come yet? I've been waiting such a long time. And I haven't seen a thing. How will he know how to find us next year? He's so used to coming here.
[to Esther; Santa Claus]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Esther's Stand Against Bullying
Esther Smith
John Truett. I've come here to ask you something...What do you mean hitting a five-year-old child?...The next time you want to hit somebody, pick on somebody your own size. If there's anything I hate, loathe, despise, and abominate, it's a bully.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unrequited Love and Idealization in Dreams
Esther Smith
The moment I saw him smileI knew he was just my style.My only regret is we've never met,Though I dream of him all the while.
[singing]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Tootie's Confession of Guilt
Tootie
I killed him.
[after tossing flour in Mr. Braukoff's face]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Girl's Unexpected Strength
John Truett
You've got a mighty strong grip for a girl.
[to Esther]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Tootie's Determination About Leaving St. Louis
Tootie Smith
Nobody's going to have them. Not everybody's going to New York. I'd rather kill them if we can't take them with us.
[smashing her snowmen]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Frustration Over Fair Anticipation
Mr. Alonzo Smith
For heaven's sakes, stop that screeching! That song. The fair won't open for seven months. That's all everybody sings about or talks about. I wish everybody would meet at the fair and leave me alone.
[to Esther and Rose, who are singing "Meet Me in St. Louis"]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Daughter's Apology for Past Misbehavior
Tootie Smith
I was drunk last night, dear Mother;I was drunk the night before.But if you forgive me Mother,I'll never get drunk anymore.
[singing]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Heartfelt Expression of Love and Longing
Mrs. Anna Smith
From my heart, a song of love, beseeching,Just for you, my longing arms are reaching,Time goes by, but we'll be together,You and I.
[singing]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Family Dynamics and Declarations of Love
Agnes Smith
Roses are redJohn's name is TruettEsther's in loveAnd we always knew it.
Grandpa
They'll all be safe with me. I've got twelve guns in my room.
Katie
A lie's a lie, and dressed in white don't help it.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Tootie's Sympathy for Margaretta
Tootie Smith
Poor Margaretta!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Betrayal and Disconnection in Esther's Words
Esther Smith
You're the most deceitful, horrible, sinful creature I ever saw, and I don't ever want to have anything to do with you again.
[after finding out that Tootie had lied about John Truett]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Sounds of Anticipation and Emotion
Esther Smith
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley,Ding, ding, ding went the bell.Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings,As we started for Huntingdon dell.
[singing]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Fear of Being Treated Like a Criminal
Mr. Alonzo Smith
Aren't you afraid to stay here alone with a criminal? That's what I'm being treated like.
[to Mrs. Smith]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Heart Lost on the Trolley
Esther Smith
I went to lose a jolly, hour on the trolley, and lost my heart insteadWith his light brown derby and his bright green tieHe was quite the handsomest of menI started to yen, then I counted to ten, then I counted to ten again.
[singing]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.