How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
As is always the case with a society, some arguing remained to be done. (12.80)
There's actually a phrase describing how teams form that Constance would probably enjoy. Ready? Here it is: forming, storming, norming, and performing. And when the kids argue about how to proceed, they're in the storming phase. That's when, after a team or group has formed, people disagree about how it should work and there's conflict. Lots of people think that conflict is a bad thing, but the storming phase? It's actually necessary. Without the storming, the team can't get into norming, which is when they agree about how things will proceed, and then performing, which is making things happen. So the storming is typical, and yes, Constance is really good at it.
Quote #5
"[…] I'm to give you a message from Mr. Benedict. […] He said to remind you that every single one of you is essential to the success of the team—that now more than ever, you must rely upon one another in all things." (29.99-103)
See? He says it once, he says it twice, he sneaks it into Morse code messages—Mr. B is pretty big on this team thing, and in the end we realize he's absolutely right. The mission couldn't have been accomplished without the whole team. Maybe Mr. Curtain will take a lesson from his identical twin and welcome some folks to be fully included and respected members of his team in the future. Maybe…
Quote #6
[Kate had] had grand visions of sabotaging the Whisperer, destroying its computers all by herself. Ripping out cables, crushing components, stealing mysterious gizmos that could not be replaced. Not only would she be regarded as a hero, she would prove once and for all that she could do everything alone—that she needed no one's help. But now she saw she could do no such thing. Not this time. (31.16)
And you know, it actually depresses her a bit. The next time the kids are all in the cafeteria trying to come up with a plan, she's still beating herself up for not having destroyed the Whisperer on her own. That's because Kate is used to doing things herself, and she's used to being successful—so failing to do what she set out to do has thrown her for a loop.
But that's a good thing. It forces Kate to finally come to terms with the fact that sometimes—sometimes—she needs to rely on others, and that doesn't make her weak. In fact, with the other three MBSers watching her back, she's probably a lot stronger.