Jellicoe Road Tradition Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

I remember the Prayer Tree and all those names and scratchings, everyone one of them with its own story, and I wonder where they all are now. Is Bronnie still in love with any of those boys? Does Jason still have so much hate? Do any of them still think about their time on the Jellicoe Road? (9.81)

Bronnie and Jason never met the original five and they likely didn't care to find out where the tradition of carving into the tree trunk started. But in a way, the tradition of the Prayer Tree becomes corrupted in the same way the war does: While the five carved their names and favorite song lyrics, Jason now carves hateful, racist expressions.

Quote #5

But most of the time I wonder how much Hannah is a part of this story and this school. Was she the leader of a community who thought she was weak and usurped her first opportunity they got? Did she experience a coup at the hands of a Richard-like, fascist-loving, backstabbing creep? And where did she get this idea that there was peace between the Townies and Cadets and us? (10.8)

Taylor's always believed that she and Hannah have some kind of shared background, but one thing she knows for sure is that both have experienced the rituals and traditions of the Jellicoe School. One thing's kind of weird, though—the fact that in her book, the three factions get along. Obviously there's a big hole in the story that Taylor isn't aware of… yet.

Quote #6

"This is how the territory wars have always been fought," he says firmly. "It's in the handbook. Do you think they're just about threats and 'don't walk on our boundaries?' It's hand-to-hand combat. Someone is always going to lose […] The only thing is that for the past four years the leaders have been male." (13.59)

Ouch. Hand-to-hand combat, fierce competition, and apparent sexism? Yeah, the territory wars are hardcore—even if they weren't meant to be that way.