How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The thing is, before they pulled me out, everything had seemed made of magic. Like I really believed in this crazy dream. But the minute I came to on the hard, glittery, spray-painted, fake snow and saw that marionette boy pulling the same plastic fish out of the hole again and again, I realized it was all a big fake. The realest thing I'd ever experienced was that moment under the water when I almost died. And in a way, I've been dying ever since. (1.33)
Just because a ride in Disney World is revealed to be phony, Cameron decides the rest of life is false as well. That's a pretty big leap. He's allowing a moment of disillusionment to ruin the rest of his life, which is pretty bold.
Quote #2
"To him that s***'s sacred, you feel me? He's writing about pain, about the loss of love, the injustice of life. About hope. I'm not gonna sell you this if you're just gonna make fun of it. That's not what music's about, my man." (4.40)
Eubie is full of life lessons, and it would have saved Cameron a lot of time and trouble if he'd taken the time to listen to them. He doesn't start to understand what Eubie is talking about, though, until he also starts to grasp these concepts for himself—and then suddenly the Great Tremolo isn't so funny anymore.
Quote #3
"Hey, Cam-run!" Eubie says when I walk in the door. "Where you been?"
"Nowhere."
"Still? That's not right." He takes a good look at me. "You look worn, my friend. Zombified."
"Yeah. Thanks."
"Got no color. You need to get out. Experience things. Play music. Fall in love."
[…]
"Life is short, my friend." (10.3-9)
Cam brushes Eubie's good advice off like he always does, but did you notice that when he's on his quest he does all of these things? He even plays music with Eubie's favorite musician, Junior Webster. The subconscious is an interesting place, indeed.