In the 12 episode run of Normal People, adapted from Sally Rooney's book of the same title, there are many poignant, memorable moments. Produced by Element Pictures for being young and in love, but unable to communicate properly with your loved one. It is modern and fresh and portrays the love story of Marianne and Connell in a very raw manner.
The audience and critics of this Hulu streaming series have loved the show, giving it mostly positive . If that isn't reason enough to watch Normal People, here are some of the most memorable quotes from the series which serve as a snapshot to show just how real, joyful, and painful love can be.
"I Wasn't Aware That My Eye Line Fell Under The Jurisdiction Of School Rules."
Anyone who has gotten caught by teachers for not paying attention in class will relate a lot to this quote by Marianne. From the first episode of the show, with this simple statement, the showrunners are able to help audiences understand what sort of a character Marianne is.
She is the sort of girl who says things that most people think but would never say out loud. Her classmates or the teacher are not impressed at all with her comment but the viewers will be able to sympathize with it.
"You Just Always Know What You Think. I'm Not Like That."
Connell is a shy guy who never really speaks up in class. He keeps his head down and does his work. He has opinions but he isn't too sure about what he thinks or feels. He's quite confused in that sense.
In contrast, Marianne seems to be vocal about what she feels and wants. Or at least that's what Connell thinks. The truth is that both of these characters don't express themselves properly and there is a lot of miscommunication and missing out on each other's intents and needs that happens. However, Connell does appear to be the more confused one, especially because he chooses to clarify it like this.
"I Would Never Pretend To Not Know You, Connell."
The dynamic between Connell and Marianne becomes painfully obvious by the third episode. Connell clearly has the upper hand in their relationship and by keeping it a secret, he's making sure that people don't know that he's with someone who they consider an outcast. This doesn't bother Marianne initially because she doesn't understand its implications but slowly it becomes clear to her. Connell continues to ignore her at school even after they both say "I love you" to each other.
The worst of this is Connell not inviting her to Debs. Through this quote, audiences understand how Marianne never has an issue with being seen with Connell. This is plenty clear when they are in college and Marianne continues to hang out with him even though Connell is the unpopular one.
"I Would Lie Down Here, And You Could Do Anything You Wanted To Me."
Marianne is extremely dependent on Connell's love for her, as she is deeply insecure and constantly worried. The things that Connell considers obvious and takes for granted are things that haunt Marianne deeply. They are both aware of the power dynamic that exists between them.
Through this quote, Marianne makes explicit what the viewers have mostly understood –that she is willing to do anything and everything for Connell. This power that Connell has over her is repeatedly mentioned and shown throughout the show. It is when Connell begins to acknowledge this power, that he is able to make things better for both of them.
"I Reckon I Could Have Told You That."
The playful banter between Connell and Marianne when they meet again in college in the fourth episode contains a lot in them. Connell says that he wasn't very compatible with Rachel and Marianne quips that she could have told him that.
At various stages, this same quote is said by both of them going on to show how they both understood each other at a deeper level than most people. They seem to have this almost "telepathic" connection between them. But the tragedy of their love story is that they are never actually able to use this for their benefit.
"I Don't Know, Maybe That's Normal?" "It's Not."
Connell's hamartia could be said to be his obsessive need to be and to be perceived as "normal." This becomes the cause of his breaking up with Marianne on various occasions, going on to date someone who he thinks is "normal" in what will be a "normal" relationship. Maybe that is why at this moment, he tries to reason out that his ability to understand what Marianne is thinking is normal. Marianne astutely points out that it is not.
After this point, recognizing the complexities that come with being with Marianne, his chase for "normal" people and relationships becomes even more noticeable.
"They Literally Show Up To Discuss A Book They Haven't Even Read And Then They Just Bang On About It With Complete Confidence."
College students will probably relate very much with what Connell is saying here when Marianne and he talk about his classes. He talks about the complete confidence with which students, especially those from more well-off urban areas, say things because they have the right vocabulary to do so.
Connell, who comes from a rural and working-class background, never has the confidence to state opinions like that even though he works a lot harder than most students and actually spends time reading the texts assigned for class. This simple difference, between the types of students, is expressed best with just this one statement.
"I Can't Connect This Life and That Life. It Just Doesn't Fit."
Connell was quite popular in school and well known in the small town he came from. But in the big college in the big city, he finds it really hard to fit in. He doesn't come from money like most people at college. He isn't a part of the clubs and communities and isn't able to socialize very well with people who seem very different from the people he had known.
Connell struggles to reconcile with his identity at college and his identity from school. The difficulty of belonging, of fitting in, of living what seems to be two different lives, is perfectly captured here.
"I Don't Find It Obvious What You Want."
Marianne and Connell have this conversation and the subtext is very obvious to the viewer. They are perfect for each other, and perfect with each other and they are both exactly what the other wants. Yet, simple things stop them from being with each other. Sometimes the articulation of what seems like the obvious needs to be done because the other may not understand it.
This articulation seems to be the thing that is missing in their otherwise perfect relationship. And the lack of this articulation of simple things is amusing because they are both people who talk a lot about everything else.
"I Guess We Just Misunderstood Each Other."
At the heart of Normal People are two characters who understand each other more than most people will ever be able to understand another person. Yet, these are two people who misunderstood the simplest of things about each other.
The paradoxical nature of their relationship is best understood through this simple statement. That they are able to telepathically understand what is best for each other, and read each other's minds almost, becomes insignificant because of the simple misunderstandings between them. And this is maybe why they too are "Normal People."