How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Taking a name is dangerous s***, cos you can bring down a person's fate on you—Biggie learned that his ownself when he got gunned down just like Biggie Smalls. (7.3)
We told you names were important. (Head on over to "Character Clues" if you don't believe us.) Biggie takes the rapper's name because he thinks the guy's music is cool, but pretty soon, he starts emulating him. Shorty thinks this has to do with the power of names and destiny.
Quote #5
I've seen s*** that makes me think she was telling the truth. All these bullets in him, through him, my manman said, and he was still standing there, filtering the light, like that was his destiny. (7.104)
Or maybe that's what happens when you lead a drug-dealing life of a gangster. It's appealing to blame everything on destiny, but sometimes that's just a cover for not taking responsibility for some tough choices in life. Maybe it was Dread's destiny to die like that, or maybe it was the result of him making poor choices his whole life. Sometimes those come back to bite.
Quote #6
For the boy, he said. He only has half a soul. He must be protected. One day soon, another soul will possess him and it could be good or it could be bad, but this shorty could be the one to… (7.156)
Dread dies, giving a prophecy about Shorty to Manman. She's not exactly sure what it means, but she knows it's important, and she believes in fate over free will. That's why she visits the houngan and asks about the future so much. Just be careful what you wish for. Sometimes knowing the future isn't all it's cracked up to be—as Manman quickly finds out.