How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Marassa can see your future, double your money, double your life. People from where I come from, they believe human twins can do the same and can talk to each other in silence, too, cos they share the same soul. (1.64)
Shorty doesn't believe in Marassa, or the supernatural for that matter, but that doesn't stop him from pretending to see people's futures just like a houngan. At least when he's performing with Dread, that's what he does. Fate is huge to his audience, after all.
Quote #2
He might not want to lead the rebellion, not precisely, but he knew that he would. It was his destiny. And who was to say that it wasn't the very thing to possess him that would give him the strength to lead his people? (6.27)
Even though Toussaint isn't into all that voodoo has to offer, he still believes in the power of his destiny. Notice how he doesn't lead the troops because he wants to, or because that's what he thinks is best for them. The number one reason he does it? Toussaint believes it's what he's supposed to do because of fate.
Quote #3
Yet he had known it was the future, and in that land blacks walked free everywhere and there were no whites that he could see. There, he was a boy, or he was in the dreams of the boy; he was not sure which. At the same time, he was himself. (6.31)
Here, Toussaint thinks about freedom and slavery. Even though things aren't looking too hot for the slaves, he knows they will become free one day. Why? He's seen the future and that's what it holds. Rather than fret over whether his dream will become reality, Toussaint blindly trusts in fate.
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.
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.
Quote #10
I ask you for my freedom that I may labor, that I may gain my sustenance and support my unhappy family. I call on your greatness, on your genius, to pronounce a just judgment on my destiny. Let your heart be softened and touched by my position and my misfortunes. (22.48)
Wait a minute. Toussaint might use the word "destiny"when he's writing to the General, but he's really talking about free will. He realizes that the French government has more power over Toussaint's fate than he does at the moment in his prison cell. He advocates for his freedom appealing to that power, and showing us free will does exist in the process.