How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"You're going to be leaving us, aren't you?" the Magistrix said suddenly […] "I just saw it, in the reflection of the bell. You were crossing the Wall…" (1.66)
In Sabriel's world, clairvoyance—the ability to see the future—is actually real, and some people can do it. If someone could predict your future, how would that change your ability to make choices? Would you feel like you were just going along with a prediction?
Quote #2
[Colonel Horyse:] "You have chosen a difficult path."
"Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?" Sabriel quoted, the words, redolent with echoes of Charter Magic, twining around her tongue like some lingering spice. Those words were the dedication in the front of her almanac. They were also the very last words, all alone on the last page, of The Book of the Dead. (3.29-30)
Sabriel's quote here from The Book of the Dead gets straight to the heart of this major theme. Here, it's asked as a question, but what do you think? Given what happens to Sabriel over the course of the book, do you think she chose her own path? It's tricky to say one way or the other, and that may be why this question comes up again later in Sabriel's story.
Quote #3
"You must not," said Mogget firmly, and his voice now seemed to carry all the weight of centuries. "You are Abhorsen, and must put the Dead to rest. Your path is chosen."
"I can walk a different path," Sabriel replied firmly, raising her head. (8.55-56)
Mogget argues that Sabriel's fate is predestined, but Sabriel herself disagrees. Can both of them be right? In this scene, Sabriel negotiates with Mogget and makes him promise to assist her in finding her father, something Mogget doesn't initially agree is the right course of action. But in making this choice, Sabriel follows the path of becoming Abhorsen, regardless.
Quote #4
"Can you think of anything else?" snapped Sabriel. "I've tried, and I can't. I wish I could go home to Ancelstierre and forget the whole thing—but then I'd never see Father again, and the Dead would just eat up everything living in this whole rotten Kingdom. Maybe it won't work, but at least I'll be trying something, like the Abhorsen I'm supposed to be and you're always telling me I'm not!" (19.60)
On the surface it might seem like Sabriel has choices—as she says here, she could theoretically go home. But she also knows what would happen if she does go home. She knows the consequences of her decisions, and so even though she makes choices, they all lead toward defeating Kerrigor and taking her father's place.
Quote #5
"Our parts now—which perforce we must play—are not father and daughter, but one old Abhorsen, making way for the new. But behind this, there is always my love." (22.77)
Sabriel's father acknowledges here that he and Sabriel are, in many ways, pawns in a much larger game, fated to play their roles without the freedom to just be father and daughter. He knows it isn't an ideal situation, and says as much.
Quote #6
"No," said Abhorsen firmly. He gently pushed her hand away. Sabriel let go, and he took Astarael carefully from the bandolier, making sure it couldn't sound. "Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?" (23.34)
Here the Abhorsen echoes Sabriel's earlier words, reminding her that they have responsibilities that go beyond their own wants and needs, just as Sabriel quoted this line to Horyse when she first reached the Wall. Repeated here, do you think it's really a question? Is Sabriel's father saying, "I have no choice?"
Quote #7
"Do you always—know what is going to happen?" Sabriel asked, as they gently lowered Touchstone into the back of the cockpit […]. (24.70)
When Sabriel meets the Clayr sisters, she again interacts with people who can see the future. The Clayr tell her that what they see isn't always the whole picture, but it gives Sabriel a sense of where her path is about to lead.
Quote #8
"Are you coming with us?" Sabriel asked hesitantly […]
"Yes," replied Horyse, slowly. He seemed surprised at his own answer, and suddenly far away. "Yes, I am."
"You have the Sight," said Touchstone, looking up from where he was adjusting his scabbard before sitting down. "What did you see?"
[…]
Touchstone looked at her, sadness and exhaustion vying for first place in his gaze. He took her hand in his own and traced a line across her palm—a definite, ending sort of line. (26.6-8, 12)
Horyse has the ability to see his own future, and in this poignant moment, he foresees that when he accompanies Sabriel to Wyverley College, he will die in the battle. Like Sabriel's father, he continues on this path, accepting his fate. Do you think he could have changed his destiny? What does it say about Horyse that he went with Sabriel even though he knew he would die?
Quote #9
"Run, Sabriel. While he's busy. Run south. Live a normal life…"
"I can't," replied Sabriel softly. "I am the Abhorsen." (27.65)
Touchstone urges Sabriel to escape, but Sabriel refuses—she knows she has a choice, but she also feels a strong sense of duty and responsibility. Fate and duty are closely intertwined here.
Quote #10
"You are the last Abhorsen," the voices whispered, the shining shapes closing in. "You cannot pass this way until there is another. You do have the strength within you. Live, Abhorsen, live…" (E.8)
Even though Sabriel accepts her own death, and is ready to die, she doesn't seem to have a choice in the matter, does she? This outcome strongly suggests that Sabriel's fate isn't really in her own hands at all. What do you think?