How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"The Egyptian word shesh means scribe or writer, but it can also mean magician. This is because magic, at its most basic, turns words into reality. You will create a scroll. Using your own magic, you will send power into the words on paper. When spoken, the words will unleash the magic." (16.50)
Thanks, Zia, for Magic 101. Words = magic. Got it. The Red Pyramid also makes us think about how "magical" even everyday words can be. Words can be powerful: you give commands, you can tell the truth, you can tell lies, and there are consequences to each of these things. Even in the "real" world, words can be magic.
Quote #2
The last couple of days I'd seen a lot of crazy things, but the Hall of Ages took the prize… Balls of fire floated around like helium basketballs, changing color whenever they bumped into one another. Millions of tiny hieroglyphic symbols also drifted through the air, randomly combining into words and then breaking apart. (14.1-2)
The fact that language becomes visible in the Hall of Ages is awe-inspiring and a little freaky. Then again, it's like the epicenter of Egyptian magic, which is language-based, so it kind of makes sense. Another thing we might think about is how hieroglyphs are different from other writing systems. Is there something special about this kind of writing? Or does all writing have a kind of magic?
Quote #3
"Dr. Kane!… Your last paper on Imhotep—brilliant! I don't know how you translated those spells!" (2.4)
The curator at the British Museum is clearly not a magician, nor does he have much imagination. Why do you think he is so surprised that Julius Kane was able to translate Egyptian spells? Does it take a special kind of talent? Or a special kind of imagination?