How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Toussaint, he went to see a houngan, talked about some thing that was inside him. I saw a houngan once, too—right before Biggie shot him—and he said I was half a person. I thought vodou was bulls*** back then, a lie for people who wanted to feel safe. (7.46)
Now Shorty thinks there might be more to this whole supernatural thing after all. We can't help but notice that the exact same thing happens to Toussaint and Shorty, which makes us think that it was their density (a.k.a. not free will) to act in a particular way.
Quote #8
And you are empty. You were Marassa, now you are nothing. You are half a person, but you won't be for long. The ceremony has already been completed. It was completed many years ago. Ogou Badagry is not for you. (17.96)
The houngan tells Shorty this about his future, making us think that fate rules the universe—at least in the world of the book. Yet he goes on to tell Shorty that he gets to choose whether he will be completed by a good or bad force. Sounds a lot like free will, doesn't it?
Quote #9
His horse had been killed beneath him. And yet, as hole-ridden as he subsequently found his long-coat, not a single ball had insulted his flesh. That was not my destiny, he thought. (18.69)
It must be nice to firmly believe in destiny being fulfilled all the time. Toussaint doesn't think he'll die during this battle so he doesn't worry too much when his horse does. It makes us wonder whether he really believes in fate or if he's just acting according to what his fate is.