How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Do you not recall my mentioning my homeland's admirable tradition? I was referring to the great conquest—the conquest of the sea. […] Nothing in the world less controllable than the sea, and yet the Dutch found a way to control it. And now, in my own way, I have done the very same thing." (21.18)
Whoa. Anybody need an extra slice of ego? Because it looks like Mr. C's got some to spare. Okay, so he's a genius and he's figured out how to use the sea to generate lots of energy with his fancy-shmancy turbines (like a lot of other folks). But he's not controlling the sea—he's just harnessing a little bit of its power. And frankly we'd be shocked to hear Mark Rutte or any other Dutch Prime Ministers claim that the Netherlands controls the sea. Flood control is one thing, and they can take a big bow for that, but controlling the sea? Please. Let's leave that to Aquaman.
Quote #5
No one seems to realize how much we are driven by FEAR, the essential component of human personality. Everything else—from ambition to love to despair—derives in some way from this single powerful emotion. Must find the best way to make use of this. (21.65)
First, ick: "Must find the best way to make use of this"? What a creep. But second, do you think he's right? Can ambition, love, and despair all be connected to fear? Is it really at the root of everything we do? See if you can make an argument for it both ways.
Quote #6
Much to my disappointment, I have concluded there is no such thing as perfect control. I have come to understand, however, that the illusion of perfect control can amount to the same thing. (21.69)
What's the difference between real control and the illusion of control? In what ways does Mr. Curtain have control of the students and workers at the Institute? In what ways is his control just an illusion?