How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Jaspert tied his airman's neckerchief. "Get your slops on and we'll see what you look like. All that studying's going to waste if your tailoring don't persuade them."
Deryn stared sullenly down at the pile of borrowed clothes. After all her studying and everything she'd learned when her father was alive, the middy's test would be easy. But what was in her head wouldn't matter unless she could fool the Air Service boffins into believing her name was Dylan, not Deryn. (3.16-17)
Ugh, this is so not fair, and it makes us seriously sad that Deryn has to change her identity just so she can do what she loves. 1914 was a while ago and a lot has changed, but are there other situations in which people have to lie about some fundamental part of their identity in order to do what they want?
Quote #2
Since getting on the bus with Jaspert, Deryn's skin had itched with wondering what she looked like to strangers. Could they see through her boy's slops and shorn hair? Did they really think she was a young recruit on his way to the air proving ground? Or did she look like some lassie with a few screws loose, playing dress-up in her brother's old clothes? (3.30)
This has got to be the most nerve-wracking thing. Why do you think everyone is so quick to accept that Deryn is a boy? No one ever seems to even question it, not even Dr. Barlow. Is she just really good at her disguise, or do people see what they expect to see?
Quote #3
Deryn felt brilliant, rising through the air at the center of everyone's attention, like an acrobat aloft on a swing. She wanted to make a speech:
"Hey, all you sods, I can fly and you can't! A natural airman, in case you haven't noticed. And in conclusion, I'd like to add that I'm a girl and you can all get stuffed!" (4.42-43)
We don't blame Deryn in the least for being a little bit angry. After all, the only chance she has of making this speech is in her head while sky high in a Huxley.