How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
One: we weren't just children. There's no such thing as children in Site Solèy, only smaller starving people, only smaller dead people. (5.81)
Shorty's dad gets mad at Manman because Shorty and Marguerite are just kids. We think he means that they deserve a childhood free from violence and gangs and with extra justice and opportunity. We couldn't agree more. Shorty fills us in on the fact, though, that there is no justice in the Site. In fact, there aren't even kids. Everyone has to grow up fast there.
Quote #5
When you keep hurting someone, you do one of three things. Either you fill them up with hate, and they destroy everything around them. Or you fill them up with sadness, and they destroy themselves. Or you fill them up with justice, and they try to destroy everything that's bad and cruel in this world. (5.120)
Shorty tells us he's in the first group. Translation? He hates people and has no trouble showing it. We don't need to be reminded of that. But we also notice that Toussaint is in the third group (which searches for justice). Maybe that part of the slave leader will rub off on Shorty after a while. One can only hope.
Quote #6
He was filled with an overwhelming desire not for vengeance, but for justice. He saw a world that crushed people beneath its wheels, and he determined to take its reins and steer it onto sweeter ground. (6.36)
Toussaint is a level-headed dude who makes decisions based on what is right and fair, not what he feels. In short, he's always after justice. Even when it's not popular among his fellow slaves, Toussaint begs them to show integrity and mercy to slave-owners and their country. Otherwise, they might regret it one day.