How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Alien.
Quote #4
DALLAS: Anybody want to say anything?
Silence. No prayers, no chants, no religious ceremonials of any type. In Alien, there is no recognition of a God that cares especially for humanity. Man is an animal, a part of the natural world, and stands against the alien alone.
Quote #5
BRETT: This is an ordinary prod, like a cattle prod. It's got a portable battery. It's insulated all the way up to here. Just make damn sure nobody touches the end of it. Shouldn't damage the little bastard unless its skin is thinner than ours but it will give him a little incentive.
With the alien now aboard the ship, the crew turns to the one thing they have always used to get nature to behave: technology. Hey, it worked on cows, right? Unfortunately, Brett is in for a nasty surprise.
Quote #6
RIPLEY: Okay, what about temperature. What happens if we change it?
ASH: Let's try it. Most animals retreat from fire, yes?
Again, the crew returns to humanity's pre-historical roots: fire. Unfortunately, although the alien represents nature, it doesn't represent nature as it is known on earth, meaning fire isn't a 100% fully refundable guarantee.