I Am the Messenger Courage Quotes

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

Quote #1

On Wednesday, however, I actually make it out onto the street and head across town. It's nearly midnight when I turn onto Edgar Street. It's dark, and the streetlights there have been rocked. Only one survives, and even that one winks at me. It's light that limps from the globe. (1.5.10)

It's a while before Ed even goes to Edgar Street, let alone does anything about the problem there. We think it's important to see the guy struggling to go a couple times so we don't take the situation lightly. He isn't just playing a game here, because this is real and scary to Ed.

Quote #2

The last hundred meters nearly kill her. I can see the pain tightening on her face. Her bare feet bleed on their way across the balding grass. She almost smiles from the pain— from the beauty of it. She's out of herself. Barefoot. More alive than anyone I've ever witnessed. (1.J.16)

Watching Sophie run is like watching energy itself for Ed. He's never seen anyone quite as courageous or alive as Sophie because she goes all out and runs wild. It seems like Ed wishes he had that kind of bravery in his own life.

Quote #3

I realize it's the sound of a man sobbing. Tonight, however, I don't care. I have to kill him because slowly, almost effortlessly and with complete contempt, this man kills his wife and child every night. And it's me alone, Ed Kennedy, a less than ordinary suburbanite, who has the chance to end it. (2.2.55)

We don't feel one bit for the man on Edgar Street because of what he's done to his wife, but we are interested in the way fear and courage are interlinked. In order for Ed to be brave with his guy, he has to make him scared, whereas before, Ed was the one running for the hills.