How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Some things are best not thought about."
"I have to," said Theo. "I have to understand. You know what happened in Dorning. I swore then I'd never try to take another man's life. Killing is wrong. I believed that. I still do. But now I wonder. Do I believe it because I want to be a decent man? Or—because I'm a coward?" (19.28-29)
Theo went from not ever wanting to kill to questioning his beliefs. Shifts like this are part of growing up. When faced with a dire situation, what do you do—defend your morals to the core, or base your decisions on reality?
Quote #2
"That's the trouble, don't you see? When I ran into the count, I thought it would be a chance to see the rest of the world. That's really what I wanted. Not swindling people with elixirs made from ditch water, or claiming to raise ghosts. Least of all, trying to kill someone. But I've done all that. Even getting you out of jail, I lied like a thief. Worse, it didn't bother me at all. What kind of person does that make me?" (20.31)
Theo's always dreamt of being the most honest guy in the room, but he has to admit to himself that hanging with Las Bombas has made him an accomplice to a swindler… and he likes it. What kind of person does this make him? Is he the same dude?
Quote #3
"No business of mine," said Musket. "For all I know, he can't stomach the world as he finds it. Can you?"
Theo did not answer. He turned back to rubbing down Friska. He had been more comfortable when he had been able to judge Las Bombas a complete rogue. (6.29-30)
Once again, Theo finds himself confronted with the truth—he can't put everyone into a neat little box. Las Bombas may be a trickster, but he's a good guy. How do those two ideas reconcile themselves… or do they? It's uncomfortable for Big T to think about.