How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Manman knew Dread Wilmè from her time with the Lavalas party. She respected him. He sold drugs, but he didn't tolerate crime. He didn't let anyone steal, or commit murder for no reason. (7.132)
Well, as long as he doesn't let murder happen for no reason, he must be a cool guy. For Manman, respecting someone isn't idealistic; she's more of a realist. Even though selling drugs and killing people isn't exactly her style, she gets that it's necessary in the Site. It might sound bonkers to us, but Manman can respect a drug-dealing gangster.
Quote #2
There's a bit where Wyclef goes, like, you disrespect us, you're gonna be put in the ground. Biggie, he shouted it out alongside Wyclef, and right then I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever heard (13.57)
Biggie singing reminds Shorty of his real life. For them (and in the song, for that matter), it's all about getting mad respect from everyone. Why? Their reputation is worth gold in the Site—without it, they are nothing. (Or so they think).
Quote #3
I stared at him. Everyone knew Dread saved me, but I didn't know they knew about the pwen. Biggie saw the expression on my face. (13.148)
It looks like Shorty's getting quite a reputation around the Site. People start to think he's special because Dread saved him the day he died. Of course we know he's a big deal, but his reputation grows faster than he wants it to. Pretty soon, he's answering questions about the pwen Dread gave him.
Quote #4
Unfortunately, whilst he had created his own legend almost without meaning to, he had been unable to erase completely the fearsome reputation of his troops. (14.19)
We're not sure that's such a bad thing. After all, it makes people tremble in their boots when they know that Toussaint's army is coming. Yet, it's not the best for Toussaint, who wishes more people looked at their cause (the end of slavery) than their skills on the battlefield.
Quote #5
He was implying that Biggie was weak, that he wasn't dealing with his s***. This kind of thing is always happening—Biggie says that when you're a leader, people always got to challenge you. That's part of being a leader, I get that. (17.19)
Here's some advice: Don't mess with our man Biggie. The guy shoots someone in the foot just to teach the guy a lesson. Gulp. He's hardcore, and everyone knows it. Especially when his respect is in question, he stands up and defends himself—to the death.
Quote #6
Jesus, she said. You gangsters with your respect. (17.21).
Stephanie always comes in with these zingers, and she's not afraid to tell Biggie how it is, even if it upsets him. Notice how she mocks the idea that respect is worth shooting someone over. Biggie and his gangsters might go to war over respect, but not everyone gets what the big deal is.
Quote #7
N*****s got to respect that m***********. You right—Boston come into our territory, we got to hit them back hard. That houngan gave me Dread's bones to wear, but now we need some deeper vodou: black maji. (17.45)
This comes to us from Biggie, when he's ticked about the Bostons hanging out in his territory. Again, his focus is on the respect factor. He's not interested in who makes the most cash, or where the drugs come from. It's all about whether or not someone is (dis)respecting him.
Quote #8
I know I've killed people, and you probably think I'm an evil person, but the truth is I only did it to find Marguerite. I only joined Route 9 cos they're the other power; they're the only ones who could help me destroy Boston and get her back. (17.147)
When Shorty lets us in on his little secret, we understand him a little bit more. He might like to pretend he sells drugs and kills people for the mad props he gets from his fellow Route 9 gangsters, but it's simpler than that. All he cares about is family, and that's his motivation for everything he does with Biggie.
Quote #9
As we passed the people outside their shacks, they looked down at the mud in respect. Of course, looking down at the mud is normal in the Site. (19.93)
Translation? People are always looking down because dead bodies are passing by. This is a way of showing respect to the fallen in the Site. Sadly, it happens really frequently. Everyone gets used to death and paying respects because it surrounds them all the time.
Quote #10
Initially, despite being imprisoned, Toussaint was treated with respect. He was permitted paper and a pen; he was encouraged to write, in fact. He should have been suspicious about that, but he retained the foolish conviction that he would be allowed a trial. (22.2)
Poor Toussaint. Not only is he tossed in a cell, he still wants to believe the good in people even when his life is terrible. Too bad he's wrong. No one really respects him or his cause in prison. Everyone was just acting like they did so he would spill the beans on where any treasure might be hiding.