How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Look back, he thought. Look back and see the smoke now and turn, please turn.
"Look back," he whispered, feeling all the pictures fade, seeing his father's face fade like the sound, like lost dreams, like an end to hope. Oh, turn now and come back, look back and see the smoke and turn for me… (12.24-25)
Here, when he's willing the rescue plane to turn and come back for him, all of Brian's hopes are focused on reuniting with his father. He's not just missing hot showers, cheeseburgers, and television. His father, and his family in general, stand for everything he's really missing in the woods—food, comfort, safety, and above all, human companionship.
Quote #8
They would not return. He would never leave now, never get out of here. He went down to his knees and felt the tears start, cutting through the smoke and ash on his face, silently falling onto the stone.
Gone, he thought finally, it was all gone. All silly and gone. No bows, no spears, or fish or berries, it was all silly anyway, all just a game. He could do a day, but not forever—he could not make it if they did not come for him someday. (12.28-29)
For Brian, the worst part isn't all the hardships—the hunger, the fear, the pain—it's the belief that they're never going to come get him out of this mess. At this point, he really does think he'll be alone forever. He could very well live the rest of his life never seeing another human again. Think about that for a second, Shmoopers. It sends a shiver down your spine, right?
Quote #9
He jerked his mind back to the lake. There was great beauty here—almost unbelievable beauty. The sun exploded the sky, just blew it up with the setting color, and that color came down into the water of the lake, lit the trees. Amazing beauty and he wished he could share it with somebody and say, "Look there, and over there, and see that…" (17.29)
You'd think this would be a happy moment, right? It's gorgeous out there, and beauty is good. Well, that's true up to a point. Beauty is awesome—when you have someone seeing it with you. But when you don't, it's almost as if that beauty doesn't matter at all. What's the point of a lovely lake or a stunning sky if you can't share it?