The BFG Morality and Ethics Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

“But you don’t like it that those beastly giants are eating humans every night, do you?” Sophie said. “I do not,” the BFG answered firmly. “One right is not making two lefts.” (11.84-85)

Pay attention, because what the BFG means (when you get through all the left turns) is a moral idea that will come back later in the book. None of the main characters in The BFG believe in an “eye for an eye.” In other words, even though humans do bad things, they don’t deserve to be eaten by giants.

Quote #5

“He’s still asleep,” the BFG whispered. “The terrible trogglehumping nightmare is beginning to hit him.” “Serves him right,” Sophie said. She could feel no sympathy for this great brute who ate children as though they were sugar-lumps. (13.31-32)

Okay, so it may not be an eye for an eye, but Sophie is okay with a nightmare for some bullying. In other words, she does believe that some kind of punishment can be valuable. Specifically, she thinks a giant who eats people every night deserves to get a few nightmares. Fair enough.

Quote #6

“One night,” he said, “I is blowing a dream through a window and I sees this book lying on the little boy’s bedroom table. I is wanting so very badly, you understand. But I is refusing to steal it. I would never do that.” “So how did you get it?” Sophie asked. “I borrowed it,” said the BFG, smiling a little. “Just for a short time I borrowed it.” (14.96-98)

The BFG is a good giant, but he’s not a saint. Clearly, he’s okay with bending his rules from time to time. Books aren’t vegetables, after all.