How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
How does a snail move when it has no feet? he wondered. And where was the tiny creature going with such purpose? Manjiro watched it, losing himself in its slow, graceful movement. (1.2.16)
Manjiro isn't the kind of guy who wants to be the main guy. He's this guy—the one who's really into nature and daydreaming. All of which makes him even more likable as our main guy.
Quote #2
"I've been thinking, though," Manjiro said. "Maybe there's another way." (1.2.25)
This is Manjiro in a nutshell: He's always thinking of a creative alternative, which is why "maybe there's another way" gets repeated a bit throughout the book.
Quote #3
"My face!" Manjiro whispered. The shadow of Manjiro's face must have seemed like an island of shade in the bright sea. The snail and I, Manjiro thought, are alike. I trace out the length and breadth of this island every day, pacing around and around its face. Like the snail, I have no idea of all that lies beyond. (1.2.87)
Manjiro's watching a snail make its slimy trail on the ground. His big revelation is that the snail's trail is in the shape of Manjiro's face because of the shadow his face is casting. But instead of going super-narcissistic (Oh! Nature reflects me!), Manjiro identifies with the snail and what the snail is doing: figuring out the borders of what he knows.