How we cite our quotes: ("Story Name," Paragraph)
Quote #7
"But what is a shape? Only a cup for the blazing soul that God provides us all." ("The Fire Balloons," 178)
This is a religious argument in a book without a lot of explicit religion. The book gives us lots of examples of Martians changing their shape, so the question is whether changing one's appearance affects one's identity? Or is there something deeper than appearance that remains the same? (Bonus points if you can use this to figure out why the Martians in "The Third Expedition" hold an Earth-style funeral.)
Quote #8
"I'm not anyone, I'm just myself; wherever I am, I am something... " ("The Martian," 155)
Ooookay. This is the Martian who looks like Tom talking to LaFarge, and it's a bit brain-melty. Does the Martian really have no identity? And if this Martian isn't anyone, then who is "myself"? Is it possible that Martians actually have no core identity?
Quote #9
The swift figure meaning everything to them, all identities, all persons, all names. How many different names had been uttered in the last five minutes? How many different faces shaped over Tom's face, all wrong? ("The Martian," 188)
This statement is from LaFarge's point of view, as you can see by (1) the fact that the quote ends with the idea that his is the base face ("different faces shaped over Tom's face") and (2) the idea that all those other faces are "wrong." Maybe we should think it's sad that LaFarge wants to restrict "Tom's" identity to just one person.