How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
“I hated it,” Sophie said. “The woman who ran it was called Mrs. Clonkers and if she caught you breaking any of the rules, like getting out of bed at night or not folding up your clothes, you got punished.”
“How is you getting punished?”
“She locked us in the dark cellar for a day and a night without anything to eat or drink.”
“The rotten old rotrasper!” cried the BFG.
“It was horrid,” Sophie said. “We used to dread it. There were rats down there. We could hear them creeping about.” (7.14-18)
This horrific punishment—for children—is beyond unfair. It’s downright Dickensian. It’s also in line with how children in other Roald Dahl books are treated by adults. Thank goodness for being kidnapped by giants.
Quote #5
“Keep away from him,” Sophie pleaded.
“Not possible,” the BFG answered. “He is galloping easily two times as quicksy as me.”
“Shall we turn back?” Sophie said.
“Turning back is worse,” the BFG said. “If they is seeing me running away, they is all giving chase and throwing rocks.” (11.20-23)
Like a kid in a playground full of bullies, the BFG is trapped. Now that the giants see him, there’s no getting away. Sounds like a trogglehumper come true.
Quote #6
“But human beans is squishing each other all the time,” the BFG said. “They is shootling guns and going up in aerioplanes to drop their bombs on each other’s heads every week. Human beans is always killing other human beans.” (11.77)
Notice how the BFG uses the word “squishing” to describe shooting and bombing. To him, there’s no difference between what the humans and the giants do. Plus, the word “squishing” makes it sound not so horrible as what really happens. What do you think—is there a difference between giants eating humans and humans going to war with each other?