How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The BFG raised his great head proudly in the air. “I is a very honorable giant,” he said. “I would rather be chewing up rotsome snozzcumbers than snitching things from other people.” (8.53)
You’ve got to admire a giant with principles. The BFG not only doesn’t believe in eating humans; he doesn’t even believe in stealing from them. We have to admit, were we in his shoes, we might snatch a few less disgusting vegetables from time to time.
Quote #2
“Human beans is killing each other much quicker than giants is doing it.”
“But they don’t eat each other,” Sophie said.
“Giants isn’t eating each other either,” the BFG said. “Nor is giants killing each other. Giants is not very lovely, but they is not killing each other. Nor is crockadowndillies killing other crockadowndillies. Nor is pussy-cats killing pussy-cats.”
“They kill mice,” Sophie said.
“Ah, but they is not killing their own kind,” the BFG said. “Human beans is the only animals that is killing their own kind.” (11.67-71)
This conversation kinda sneaks up on you, doesn’t it? One minute, the BFG and Sophie are having a farting contest and the next, they’re talking about the ethics of war. By working these ethics questions so casually into the story, Dahl really gets his readers thinking. He doesn’t tell them what to believe, exactly. He just points out some facts, and doesn’t let you get away with taking those facts for granted.
Quote #3
“That is what the little piggy-wig is saying every day,” the BFG answered. “He is saying, “I has never done any harm to the human bean so why should he be eating me?” “Oh dear,” Sophie said. “The human beans is making rules to suit themselves,” the BFG went on. “But the rules they is making do not suit the little piggie-wiggies. Am I right or left?” “Right,” Sophie said. “Giants is also making rules. Their rules is not suiting the human beans. Everybody is making his own rules to suit himself.” (11.79-83)
What the BFG is telling Sophie (in his own, oh-so-special words) is that the rules of society are relative. The other giants don’t think it’s strange to eat humans, just like humans consider it normal to eat animals. (This is easy for the BFG to say, because he only eats a single vegetable. He’s never even tasted bacon, for crying out loud.)