PASSAGE NO. 1:
"He was in its icy grip again, though for no discernible reason. Charlotte and Emily were healthy, well-adjusted kids. He and Paige were happy together - absurdly happy, considering how many thirty-something couples of their acquaintance were divorced, separated, or cheating on each other. Financially, they were more secure than they had ever expected to be. Nevertheless, Marty knew something was wrong." (11)
This passage describes the perfect family life of Marty, but makes you feel like you are being led to a highpoint in the book. You see Marty loading guns, locking windows, turning on the alarm, and still he feels dread, not knowing if he is doing enough. As for the perfect family, I don't believe that they actually exist. My parents are recently divorced after more than 20 years of marriage. People are constantly changing due to outside circumstances, so I don't believe anyone lives in a "perfect" family.
PASSAGE NO. 2:
"Her father's snappishness reminded Charlotte that he was not himself. …
