The BFG Appearances Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

Every minute, the mist became thicker. The air became colder still and everything became paler and paler until soon there was nothing but grey and white all around them. They were in a country of swirling mists and ghostly vapours. There was some sort of grass underfoot but it was not green. It was ashy grey. There was no sign of a living creature and no sound at all except for the soft thud of the BFG’s footsteps as he hurtled on through the fog. (11.90)

Dream Country is just as we might have imagined it: misty, foggy, otherworldy. Hey, kind of like dreams! Not a coincidence. Basically, Dahl illustrates the mystery and intangibility of how it feels to have a dream by describing the world they live in the same way.

Quote #8

The BFG took his time. He was very dignified in his approach. When he was close to the window where the three of them were standing, he stopped and made a slow graceful bow. His head, after he had straightened up again, was almost exactly level with the watchers at the window. “Your Majester,” he said. “I is your humbug servant.” He bowed again. (19.126-127)

Except for the words “majester” and “humbug,” the BFG’s presentation to the Queen is very dignified. He’s gone from goofy-looking giant to extremely tall, dapper gentleman. No humbug to be had here.

Quote #9

Mr. Tibbs skimmed into the ballroom (butlers don’t walk, they skim over the ground) followed by a whole army of footmen. The footmen all wore knee-breeches and every one of them displayed beautifully rounded calves and ankles. There is no way you can become a royal footman unless you have a well-turned ankle. It is the first thing they look for when you are interviewed. (20.5)

Can’t you just picture this scene—a clone army of footman, moving in unison? Well-turned-ankled unison? Also, just picture the interview for that kind of job. Any career that focused on ankles is not for us.