How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Play was fifteen and a nice guy, but he was facing juvy life for shooting a guy. (2.15)
Through Reese's description of him, and his jokes throughout the novel, we know that Play isn't a monster. But we also know he killed someone. Mixed bag, this one.
Quote #2
Willis, my bother, used to do some boxing and we used to spar around in the gym. Then he got shot and didn't have any more interest in fighting. (2.26)
Reese mentions that his brother was shot. Notice the casual way in which he discusses it? This shows how commonplace violence is in his neighborhood.
Quote #3
I didn't like to fight in a ring or anything like that. It just didn't appeal to me, but when my father started hitting me all the time, I was glad that I knew a little something. (2.26)
Reese doesn't enjoy violence, but he can't get away from it—even at home. No wonder he has a hard time not engaging sometimes in juvenile prison; violence has always been around.
Quote #4
When they took Toon from his room he was really messed up. His eye was swollen and there was dried blood under his nose. (3.13)
Some of Reese's fellow inmates target Toon, a twelve-year-old, even though Toon's too small to fight back. This only makes their violent behavior somehow more violent.
Quote #5
I smashed his face as hard as I could. I don't remember a lot more but I know I kept swinging. (5.21)
When Reese gets into fights, it's almost as though he blacks out or disassociates. Why do you think that is? What does it tell you about his relationship to violence?
Quote #6
At Progress nobody kidded around with you. Even when you were talking to your friends it could change in a minute. You said the wrong thing and somebody would get mad and swing at you […]. (12.11)
Reese sees juvenile jail as a volatile setting where violence can erupt at any time. To be fair, it seems like he's totally right—you never know when King Kong's going to come your way.
Quote #7
Mama said she would like to see you join the army because it would keep you safe. How's it going to keep you safe if there's a war on? (14.9)
In his letter to his brother, Willis, Reese talks about how their mother sees joining the army as a better option than staying on the streets. Reese, who sees both settings as ultra violent, is skeptical.
Quote #8
"Another thing I'm afraid of is getting caught up in a stickup or a drive-by with some fool who don't know how to use a gun just popping off caps and killing everybody," Diego said. (16.15)
In a group session where Reese and his peers are asked to discuss their fears, it's clear they don't just fear intentional violence—they also worry about violence that affects innocent bystanders.
Quote #9
In my life, somebody was always being shot or being beat up or killed. (21.8)
Reese has experienced so much violence in his life that he's almost grown numb to it. When he hears about someone from the neighborhood who has been shot, he finds it difficult to care because it's so commonplace.
Quote #10
I was glad for the camera. At least they couldn't beat me up. Or maybe they could. Just turn the camera off for a little while […]. (23.70)
In Reese's world, violence isn't just something that occurs amongst his peers; he constantly worries about the threat of violence from people in positions of authority, like the police.