How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Fawcett, quoting a companion, wrote that cannibalism, "at least provides a reasonable motive for killing a man, which is more than you can say for civilized warfare." (17.15)
Fawcett delivers a killer anti-war burn. This quote also explains why Fawcett feels more at home in the jungle than in the so-called "civilized" world. In the jungle, at least life makes sense.
Quote #8
Colleagues had once doubted his theory of Z largely for biological reasons: the Indians were physically incapable of constructing a complex civilization. Now many of the new breed of scientists doubted him for environment reasons: the physical landscape of the Amazon was too inhospitable for primitive tribes to construct any sort of sophisticated society. (17.37)
Fawcett's expedition is always being doubted for various reasons. However, most of the people who doubt him haven't gone in and got down and dirty in the way Fawcett has. The person to trust is the person who has lived through it.
Quote #9
"The place was so beautiful, and now it is gone. And I ask a man working there, 'What are you doing?' He says, 'We are building a hydroelectric dam.'" (23.34)
As the book ends, we see a change in the natural landscape of the Amazon. It's still being used and abused by Western "civilization." Surprise, surprise. Now that the Amazon has been explored, people are cutting down trees and changing the environment. It hurts the tribes and changes their way of life. And wrecks the entire planet, just for good measure. But, hey—profits.