What does Eloise mean by 'almost everyone sees things, but not everyone notices them,' and how does this particularly apply to Frank?

On page 104, Eloise says to Frank, "Almost everyone sees things, but not everyone notices them." What does she mean, and why is it fitting that she says this to Frank, of all her nephews and nieces? How does Frank exemplify the difference between seeing and noticing, especially as he uses his keen sense of "vision" to lead him throughout his life?

Frank is so very astute. Nothing passes him by. He notices everything. He is something of a genius, and with a photographic memory. No wonder he was so good at "spying" later in his life, after having been made a good sniper in the war. Frank is the embodiment of Eloise's comment: He not only see everything but he notices everything as well.

In the context of their discussion I assumed she was referring to Frank as somebody who has interceded on behalf of kids whom he witnessed being bullied. It is not explicitly stated but I drew the inference from the structure of their chat. Of course, it is also a skill that Frank uses uses throughout his life.

Frank sees things and is also aware of what he's seeing (the noticing bit). It's the same sort of idea as not only hearing but listening. The difference is the difference between sensing things and actually being aware of what you're sensing. It reminds me of the saying that no one is blinder than he who will not see. It's not that people can't see but that they refuse to see. Frank not only saw, he acted on what he saw.

Did I read Frank incorrectly? Yes, I agree that he saw things and that he noticed what he saw - he has an extraordinary mind - photographic memory - but does he FEEL anything about what he sees? Someone talk to me about this please - because if he cannot feel or emote, can he really see?

In the context of the conversation, I think she mean't that the teacher saw the bullying but didn't notice that Frank set it up. In a general way Frank was more than what people saw and Eloise was aware of his devious nature.

What do you mean by "Frank set it up"? He orchestrated a response to the bullying and in that sense put an end to it. Frank wasn't the one doing the bullying. He was responding to it.

Your word orchestrated is much better than set it up. He accomplished what he started out to do, bring the bully to the teacher's attention without her being aware of his intention.

We all see things, or look at the world, but some people look more deeply into the events around them. For example, even the discussion of an author's work will bring different viewpoints to the table. Many times I have been in the middle of book discussions with people I consider far more better read than I am and hear an explanation that sounds logical, when I would never have thought of that idea.