Man and the Natural World Quotes in Cloud Atlas

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

I nearly spikered the turtle there'n'then out o' spite, see, if my life weren't fair why should an animal's be? But I seen its eyes, so ancient was its eyes they seen the future, yay, an' I let the turtle go. (6.1.84)

The animal lover in us (her name is Betty White) cringes to say this, but Zachry has a point, at first. People are senselessly murdered every day. Why should the life of a turtle be any different? But Zachry respects his elders, and no living thing's more elderly than a turtle. Still, is all life sacred, or only some life? Or none?

Quote #5

The life o' your tribe's got a nat'ral order. Catkin'd o' treaded on that scorpion fish if I'd been here or not. (6.1.147)

Meronym believes that the world has a natural rhythm—it gives life, and it takes it away. The circle of life. She doesn't think she should interfere, but Zachry convinces her otherwise. Poor Catkin ends up dead, anyway, later on, killed by the Kona. Hmm, looks like the natural world and fate are in cahoots...

Quote #6

Luisa has never even driven through this district and feels unsettled by the unknowability of cities. (9.59.4)

Luisa's trip through the slums recalls Sonmi's visiting the Huamdonggil, the toilet of life. In nature, you can be sure of things. You can be sure there are trees, sure there are animals, sure a bear might eat you, but in cities, people are doing nefarious things all the time that shock us—like taking bath salts and eating people.