Atlas Corrigan transitions from a destitute, homeless teenager to a beacon of strength and empathy.
In ‘It Ends With Us,’ he’s the enduring first love to Lily Bloom. But in the sequel, he reveals a more complex and subtly manipulative side.
Despite his hardships, including homelessness and a lack of familial love, Atlas’s interactions with Lily oscillate between genuine compassion and covert influence.
His character is nuanced by altruistic gestures and questionable intentions.
It Ends With Us Quotes With Page Numbers
Atlas Corrigan It Ends With Us Quotes
“Lily, Atlas says just keep swimming. —Ellen DeGeneres”
~Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us, (an autograph from Ellen Degeneres to Lily), Chapter 16, Page 208
“Atlas kept swimming, and look at him now. He swam all the way to the f**** Caribbean.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us, (Lily Bloom as the Narrator about Atlas), Chapter 24, Page 274
“In the future… if by some miracle you ever find yourself in the position to fall in love again… fall in love with me.” He presses his lips against my forehead. “You’re still my favorite person, Lily. Always will be.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us, (Lily Bloom as the narrator and Atlas), Chapter 28, Pages 309-310
“You can stop swimming now, Lily. We finally reached the shore.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us, (Atlas), Epilogue, Page 367
It Starts With Us Quotes With Page Numbers
Atlas Corrigan It Starts With Us Quotes
“Thank you. What is it?”
“Our weekend special, ” Atlas says. “It’s called why are you avoiding me pasta.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas Corrigan, Chapter 6, Page 35
“You’re stressing over things that haven’t even happened yet.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas Corrigan, Chapter 8, Page 52
“Don’t think about where we used to be, just think about where we are.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 9, Page 64
“I had fallen in love with her long before our first kiss, though. I loved her more than I had ever loved anyone before that moment. I think I loved her more than I’ve ever loved anyone after that moment.
I think I still might.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 11, Page 84
“But then I met you, Lily. And even though I was nothing, when you looked at me, you somehow saw something. Something I couldn’t see. You were the first person in my life to show an interest in who I was as a human. No one had ever asked me questions about myself the way you did. After those few months I spent getting to know you, I stopped feeling like I was nothing. You made me feel interesting and unique. Your friendship gave me worth.
Thank you for that. Even if this date leads nowhere and we never speak again, I will always be grateful to you for somehow seeing something in me that my own mother was blind to.
You’re my favorite person, Lily. And now you know why.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 12, Page 96
“I’m getting a new therapist who doesn’t bully me.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas Corrigan, Chapter 19, Page 176
“Atlas is so angry, but this is an anger I’m not afraid of. I realize the significance of this moment. I’m alone with an angry man in my apartment, but I’m not in fear for my life, because he isn’t angry at me.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Lily about Atlas, Chapter 20, Page 182
“If it takes a million kisses for her not to think about the scars that surround her heart tattoo, then I’ll kiss her there a million and one times.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas Corrigan, Chapter 21, Page 187
“Oh, are you at Lily’s?” Theo says, moving closer to the phone screen.
He’s grinning. “Did you finally kiss her? Can she hear me? What line did you use to get her to invite you in? Lily! We watched people wed, let’s hop into—”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Theo and Atlas, Chapter 21, Page 189
“If you truly believe that I would have been unfaithful to you, then go ahead and believe that. I don’t have the energy to keep convincing you otherwise. I’ve explained this to you before, so I’m not saying it again. I never would have left you for Atlas. I didn’t leave you for Atlas. I left you because I deserve to be treated better than the way I was treated by you.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 24, Page 206
“I’m so happy you’re happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.
But I will say, nothing beats knowing I’m the one you get to be happy with now.”~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 24, Page 210
“What are you doing?”
“Helping Josh with his homework. Trying to pretend I’m not thinking about you.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 25, Page 216
“She’s my person, and I am hers, and that’s something I’ve known since the first week we met.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas Corrigan, Chapter 25, Page 221
“You could have fifty ex-husbands who try to make our lives hell, but as long as I have you, I will be absolutely unaffected by anyone else’s negativity. That’s a promise.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 25, Page 221
“This is the only negative aspect to finally being with the person you’re meant to be with. You go years aching to be with them, and when they finally become a significant part of your life, it somehow hurts even more.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 25, Page 226
“There isn’t a single human in history with a past misfortunate enough to excuse beating the person you’re suppose to protect.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 27, Page 235
“Treating Lily the way she deserves to be treated is the easiest part of my life. I think you should be relieved she’s with someone like me.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 27, Page 237
“he’s just fighting for the sake of fighting. He’s got a very similar personality to my mother, and sometimes there’s no fixing that. You just have to learn to live your life around it”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 27, Page 239
“It blows my mind that this man has you for a son, and you want to be in his life, yet he still hasn’t made an effort. You’re a privilege, Josh. Believe me, if I’d known you existed, I would have knocked over buildings to find you.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 31, Page 277
“one that starts with us.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 31, Page 278
“But even monsters can’t survive without a heart beating inside their chest.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas Corrigan, Chapter 33, Page 290
“I saw your tattoo. I can’t tell you what that means to me, knowing that you have our heart placed in the very spot where I once secretly buried the words I love you”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Lily Bloom, Chapter 34, Page 299
“We don’t focus too much on what isn’t working out in our lives. We focus on what is, and there’s a lot to be grateful for.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas Corrigan, Chapter 35, Page 304
“If we trusted everyone to keep their word, vows wouldn’t be necessary. People would fall in love, and they’d stay in love, faithfully, forever, the end. But that’s the issue, I guess. We’re people. We’re human. And humans can sometimes be disappointing.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 37, Page 317
“I was jealous of anyone who had ever loved something enough to experience losing it.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 37, Page 318
“If it’s my destiny to end up a statistic, there’s no one else I’d rather become a statistic with than you.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 37, Page 319
“Maybe the idea of love ending being a negative thing is simply a matter of perspective. Because to me, the idea that a love came to an end means that, at some point, there was love that existed. And there was a time in my life, before you, when I was completely untouched by it.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas Corrigan, Chapter 37, Page 319
“Sometimes you’re going to need me to hold your hand down the hills, and sometimes I’ll need you to lead me up the mountain, but everything, from this point forward, we’re going to face together.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 37, Page 319
“In the past and for forever, you are my favorite person. Always have been. Always will be. I love you. Everything that you are.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas Corrigan, Chapter 37, Page 319
“Maybe the idea of love ending being a negative thing is simply a matter of perspective. Because to me, the idea that a love came to an end means that, at some point, there was love that existed. And there was a time in my life, before you, when I was completely untouched by it.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas Corrigan, Chapter 37, Page 319
“Sometimes you’re going to need me to hold your hand down the hills, and sometimes I’ll need you to lead me up the mountain, but everything, from this point forward, we’re going to face together.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas, Chapter 37, Page 319
“In the past and for forever, you are my favorite person. Always have been. Always will be. I love you. Everything that you are.”
~Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us, Atlas Corrigan, Chapter 37, Page 319
Atlas Corrigan Character Analysis
Atlas Corrigan is a compelling and multifaceted character from Colleen Hoover’s acclaimed “It Ends With Us” book series.
Through the two books, “It Ends with Us” and “It Starts with Us,” we see different layers of Atlas unravel as he becomes an integral figure in the life of the protagonist, Lily Bloom.
Known for his resilience, compassion, and introspective nature, Atlas stands out as a character who experiences profound growth and showcases the power of perseverance and human connection.
Character Traits and Development:
Resilient: Atlas’s journey is marked by hardship, yet his resilience shines through. In “It Ends with Us,” we learn about his struggles with homelessness, which he overcomes through sheer determination, eventually finding success and stability. He was also beaten by Lily’s father with a baseball bat and had to keep away from her.
Compassionate: Despite his challenges, Atlas shows compassion toward Lily and others around him. His caring nature is exemplified in “It Starts with Us,” where he proves to be a pillar of support for Lily, offering unwavering kindness and understanding.
Reflective: Atlas often engages in introspection, pondering his past and future. Quoted in the first book as saying, “You can stop swimming now, Lily. We finally reached the shore,” this reflects on his journey of overcoming obstacles and finally finding peace and belonging.
Romantic: Atlas’s love for Lily is profound and enduring. Throughout “It Ends with Us” and “It Starts with Us,” he conveys his emotions articulately and sincerely, famously asking Lily in the first book to fall in love with him again if she ever gets the chance.
Growth-oriented: In “It Starts with Us,” Atlas shows personal growth and the ability to move beyond his past. He prioritizes self-improvement, even seeking a new therapist who aligns better with his needs.
Key Relationships:
Lily Bloom: Atlas and Lily’s relationship is central to the series. Their bond, characterized by deep love and mutual respect, evolves from friendship to romantic love.
Each quote from the books encapsulates moments that define their connection, whether they’re sharing laughter over the “why are you avoiding me pasta” or confronting difficult truths about their feelings and futures.
Himself: Atlas’s journey is also about his relationship with himself. Despite his difficult upbringing, he constantly evaluates his self-worth and strives to become someone Lily and others can see value in.
Past vs. Present: There is a constant interplay between who Atlas was and who he became. He reminds Lily, and the readers, not to dwell on past hardships but to focus on their current state of happiness. This is evident when he tells Lily, “Don’t think about where we used to be, just think about where we are.”
Key Themes Involving Atlas:
Overcoming adversity: Atlas’s backstory of homelessness and personal growth is a testament to his ability to overcome adversity, embodying the idea that one’s past does not dictate the future.
Healing through love: The books demonstrate the healing power of love, as seen in Atlas’s transformation and his ability to make Lily feel seen and valued, which is essential for her healing process.
Facing anger with courage: Lily’s realization that she can be around an angry Atlas without fear underscores the stark difference between his righteous anger and the destructive anger she has experienced from others. It highlights the importance of context and trust in emotional responses.
Influence/Subtle Manipulation: Atlas Corrigan subtly manipulates Lily’s decisions, making her believe she needs him despite her ability to handle matters independently.
Despite knowing Lily is married, he creates opportunities to remain close to her, indicating an underlying agenda to insert himself into her life under the guise of benevolence.