How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"The human life span is much shorter than you're used to." (3.43)
Wanda knows that humans aren't the only ones out there. She learns from her time on Earth that humans burn bright and fast. And they give a lovely light.
Quote #2
You never know how much time you'll have. (8.135)
Before coming to Earth, Wanda wasn't really concerned with death. Her species' existence can be prolonged indefinitely as long as there's another host to be transferred into. But once she decides to stay human, her actions hold more consequence.
Quote #3
"It's a big universe, and there's a lot of company out there." (21.94)
Wanda teaches the humans about all the different life forms she's encountered. However, the basic moral of this story is this: humans are the best! That's why Wanda decides to stay one. Sweet. We love a story that confirms our awesomeness.
Quote #4
"Ought to know more about the universe—not to mention the new tenants of our planet." (25.45)
Jeb encourages Wanda to tell stories about her other lives. These stories help the humans learn about the existence of life on other planets and provide them with knowledge that might help in the event of another alien invasion. Better to be safe than sorry.
Quote #5
"As long as we have a healthy host, we can live forever." (25.111)
Wanda takes her alternate lives-style for granted. Her species treats bodies like we treat automobiles. Getting tired of your old clunker? Upgrade to a newer, younger, faster model.
Quote #6
Look, I'm human. It's hard to be fair sometimes. We don't always feel the right thing, do the right thing. (30.23)
Melanie sums up human existence fairly succinctly here. It's a series of choices, some right, some wrong. We have to live with them either way.
Quote #7
"You could live forever if you left us." (38.95)
Wanda no longer wants to exist as a parasite. She wants to adopt a human lifestyle, even if it means she will eventually die. Of course, that's not necessarily true, now that she's taught Doc how to transfer souls on his own. And what about the girl whose body she takes at the end?
Quote #8
"We have a greater range of good and bad in us than you do. [...] We value the individual. We probably put too much emphasis on the individual, if it comes right down to it." (41.58)
This might be the biggest difference between humans and Wanda's species. Wanda's species values the community above all. They co-exist in near-perfect harmony. Conversely, while humans have communities (and need them to survive) the wants and needs of an individual have the power to tear communities apart.
Quote #9
Laughter was like a fresh breeze—it cleaned its way through the body, making everything feel good. Did other species have such a simple healer? (50.74)
Here's another reason that Wanda decides to stay human: the power of laughter. Despite tears and pain, there's always laughter and love to get us through difficult times. (We think we read that on a card somewhere.)
Quote #10
"It's a strange world." (Epilogue.118)
This line is one of the last in the book. We also chose it as our quote in our yearbook. (Don't judge; we were only 17.)