How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"I don't know why you saved his ass," Pima said. "All he does is hit you."
Nailer shrugged…"He didn't used to. He used to be different. Before all the drugs and before my mom died."
"He wasn't that great before. He's just worse now."
Nailer grimaced. "Yeah, well…" He shrugged, stymied by conflicted emotions. "I probably wouldn't have made it out of the oil room if it weren't for him. He's the one who taught me to swim." (8.70-73)
This is the hard part for Nailer. His dad wasn't always a jerk—there are some good times that he remembers, too—so Nailer has to weigh who is dad was against who he is when he considers what he owes his father. That's some terrible math right there, Shmoopers.
Quote #5
People said family was important. Pearly said it. Pima's mom said it. Everyone said it. And Richard Lopez, whatever else he was, was the only family Nailer had left. (7.75)
In Ship Breaker, Nailer and other characters feel heavy social pressure to value family. Is it fair to ask Nailer to value family in the same way that Pima and Sadna do? Why or why not?
Quote #6
His pale eyes looked as bright and crazed as Nailer felt his own must be.
"I won't let you die, son. Don't you worry. We'll get you taken care of. You're my blood and I'll take good care of you." (12.119-120)
When Nailer's wound from the oil chamber gets infected, Richard takes care of his son. How is this at odds with what we know about Richard Lopez and his relationship with Nailer? And is Richard taking care of Nailer because Nailer is his son, or is it for some other reason?