How we cite our quotes: Act.Line
Quote #7
How can I make you understand? He has protection. No one can undertake what he does tonight without the deepest protection the mind can conceive. What can you offer him in place of his peace of mind, in place of the honour and veneration of his own people? What would you think of your Prince if he refused to accept the risk of losing his life on this voyage? This… showing-the-flag tour of colonial possessions. (4.100)
When Jane suggests that Olunde should probably be relieved and grateful for her husband's assistance in preventing Elesin's suicide, Olunde tries to explain how much more important honor is than whatever her husband is trying to do "for" Elesin.
Quote #8
My young bride, did you hear the ghostly one? You sit and sob in your silent heart but say nothing to all this. First I blamed the white man, then I blamed my gods for deserting me. Now I feel I want to blame you for the mystery of the sapping of my will. But blame is a strange peace offering for a man to bring a world he has deeply wronged, and to its innocent dwellers. (5.42)
Even as he wants to rationalize his failure to pull off the suicide, Elesin seems to recognize that making excuses isn't really the honorable thing to do. He believes that he has "deeply wronged" the world—all of the bragging and bravado from earlier seem to be gone now.
Quote #9
Honour? White one, did you say you wanted my word of honour? (5.66)
This is Elesin talking to Simon Pilkings. He is blown away that Pilkings would ask him for his word of honor. There are a variety of reasons he might find this pretty shocking, but the number one contender? The fact that Simon's interference has basically taken away any pretense of Elesin as honorable. Sad stuff.