How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Proud of my ancestry and while I did business with Warden, would never go on his payroll. Perhaps distinction seems trivial since I was Mike's valet from day he was unpacked. But mattered to me. I could down tools and tell them to go to hell. (1.17)
As a freelance technician, Mannie decides what work to do, what work he doesn't do, and negotiates the contract on equal footing with the Warden. This tidbit is an early hint to understanding Mannie as a character, as well as how the novel constructs its vision of true freedom.
Quote #2
My Grandfather Stone claimed that Luna was only open prison in history. No bars, no guards, no rules—and no need for them. (2.3)
Oh, irony, we do so love you. Luna is indeed a prison, as the people there cannot leave. The Moon's low gravity has ensured that they can barely survive on Earth's much more intense gravitational field. On the other hand, this prison represents a greater freedom from Mannie's point of view since the Loonies can leave their doors open without worry of theft.
Quote #3
"Oh, we don't rule out anyone going our way; it's a united front. We have Communists and Fourths and Ruddyites and Societians and Single-Taxers and you name it. But I'm no Marxist; we Fifths have a practical program. Private where private belongs, public where it's needed, and an admission that circumstances alter cases. Nothing doctrinaire." (6.34)
That last line basically sums up the novel's view of political and economic liberty. As a freedom bonus, Prof argues that the lack of a doctrine means people of several different political persuasions can enjoy Rational Anarchism.
Quote #4
Despite Loonie mixture of Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, and ninety-nine other flavors, I suppose Sunday is commonest day for church. But Greg belongs to sect which had calculated that sundown Tuesday to sundown Wednesday, local time Garden of Eden (zone minus-two, Terra) was the Sabbath. (8.27)
Like so many others, freedom of religion is paramount to the novel's ideal of liberty. What's interesting here is that the Loonies have managed to break from the Christian traditions and each denomination decides for itself when the Sabbath is, suggesting Loonies have taken that freedom and run with it. Because why can't the Sabbath be on a Tuesday? Seriously, we don't know.
Quote #5
"We don't have laws," I said. "Never been allowed to. Have customs, but aren't written and aren't enforced—or could say they are self-enforcing because are simply way things have to be, conditions being what they are. Could say our customs are natural laws because are way people have to behave to stay alive. When you made a pass at Tish you were violating a natural law … and almost caused you to breathe vacuum." (11.114)
Wait… is he saying that Luna's natural environment prescribes what its version of freedom is? That is, true freedom would be different given the "natural laws" of another place? Or, is he saying that Luna's environment allowed them to discover the natural laws of freedom? Wow, that was a difficult question to ask. We'll let you enjoy answering it.
Quote #6
One female (most were men, but women made up for it in silliness) had a long list she wanted made permanent laws—about private matters. No more plural marriage of any sort. No divorces. No "fornication"—had to look that one up. No drinks stronger than 4% beer. Church services only on Saturdays and all else to stop that day. (14.138)
Ah, good old blue laws. Blue laws are laws that have been created to enforce religious beliefs through government. They are not exactly freedom of religion and yet several states of the United States still have them on the books.
Quote #7
Prof replied that it had not been closed so far as we were concerned and that we would welcome newsmen, video cameras, a gallery, anyone, as Luna Free State had nothing to hide.
Chairman replied stiffly that so-called Free State did not control these hearings; these sessions were closed, not to be discussed outside this room, and that it was so ordered. (17.8-9)
Freedom of information becomes a crucial point of consideration here. After all, how can people make informed decisions if they do not have all the information they need to make said decision? Sounds simple, right? Just wait.
Quote #8
"Manuel, on some subjects I don't trust even myself. Limiting the freedom of news 'just a little bit' is in the same category with the classic example 'a little bit pregnant.' We are not yet free nor will we be as long as anyone—even our ally Mike—controls our news." (18.90)
Let's not forget that our revolutionaries, especially Mike, control information in the same way the Lunar Authority does. So can we say they are fighting for freedom, too? Well, swing over to our discussion of manipulation elsewhere in this section to see how not simple this conversation can be.
Quote #9
"In each age it is necessary to adapt to the popular mythology. At one time kinds were anointed by Deity, so the problem was to see to it that Deity anointed the right candidate. In this age the myth is 'the will of the people'… but the problem changes only superficially. Comrade Adam and I have had long discussions about how to determine the will of the people. I venture to suggest that this solution is one we can work with." (21.30)
Prof admits to crafting the will of the people so that their will follows his desire. Can freedom and liberty won on such tactics really be considered freedom and liberty, or will they be tainted forever by this fact?
Quote #10
And that was biggest reason why we Loonies won: We fought. Most Loonies never laid eyes on a live invader but wherever troopers broke in, Loonies rushed in like white corpuscles—and fought. Nobody told them. (24.7)
While the novel does question the extent freedom and liberty can be obtained, one thing is certain within these pages: Neither can be gained without the will to fight for it. Mannie and the other Loonies do just that.