How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
A few days ago, he would have cut her […] but now, after his time in the oil room, all he could think of was how much he'd wanted Sloth to believe that his life was just as important as hers. (9.38, 43)
Nailer has the chance to either cut off Nita's finger or save her life. He's starting to think that perhaps each life should be weighed the same, whether it's his, Nita's, or Sloth's. It's very different from his father's view of humanity.
Quote #5
He'd killed things before. Chickens. That goat. But this was different. He threw up. Pima and Lucky Girl backed off, exchanging glances.
"What's his problem?" Pima asked.
Sadna shook her head. "Killing isn't free. It takes something out of you every time you do it. You get their life; they get a piece of your soul. It's always a trade." (14. 56-58)
After killing Blue Eyes to save Sadna, Nailer pukes, physically overwhelmed with what he's done. Even though Blue Eyes would have killed Nailer if he hadn't killed her, he seems to have a different reaction than she might have had. Perhaps, following Sadna's logic, this is because Blue Eyes has killed too many times and, in doing so, traded out too many pieces of her soul.
Quote #6
"It's human nature to tear one another apart. Be glad you come from such a successful line of killers." (14. 68)
Tool says this after Nailer kills Blue Eyes. Keep in mind that this phrase is coming from a genetically engineered creature who—arguably—isn't fully "human." Is what Tool says true? And what does this mean about the general morality of society?