How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Those gloved hands of Chet's ball into fists at his side for a second before going limp. "Because I've accepted Jesus Christ into my heart and my life. And I know that what happened to me happened for a reason. God has a bigger plan for me, and I have to trust in that."
The question's out of my mouth before I even have a chance to think it. "What if it's not God's will, Chet?"
"But it is. I know that."
"No, Chet, what if it's just a s***ty thing that happened? What if it's just bad luck, some random thing like a butterfly flapped his wings in South America and you broke your neck? What if there is no divine plan at all and we are totally on our own?" I don't know what kind of answer I want or if there even is an answer. "You ever think about that, Chet?"
"No. No, I don't," he says with assurance. "And I feel sorry for you if that's how you feel."
Yeah, I think, closing my eyes to the Chet Kings of the world. I feel sorry for me, too. (13.123-128)
The Butterfly Effect is a popular trope for explaining the randomness of things. Which theory is more comforting, though, the one where we are powerless because everything is random, or the one where we are powerless because God has a bigger plan?
Quote #2
"You won't know until you ask. Besides, his fate is tied to yours. Everything's connected."
"There's no such thing as fate."
"Except for random fate."
"That's… insane."
"Yeah." She grins. (15.107-111)
Dulcie, could you possibly elaborate, please? We're not quite sure what you're getting at here. Random fate is an oxymoron… right?
Quote #3
"Yeah," I say softly. "Dulcie said you're part of this, too. That you'd find your purpose on this trip, and that's why we were put in the same room together. No accidents. Everything's connected. In a random sort of way." (16.40)
This makes more sense. It's like life is one big tapestry and things are interwoven in a seemingly random way, but when you step back, a pattern can be seen in the bigger picture.