"With every new technological development, knowledge has to be shared. Accords must be developed and respected."
This quote suggests that the rapid growth in technology particularly in fields like oceanography brings with it a responsibility to disseminate information. "Accords must be developed and respected" underscores the need for international cooperation and agreements in order to ensure that the knowledge and resources gained from these advancements are utilized for the greater good and not exploited for individual or national gains. It highlights the potential dual nature of technology – it can either be a force for positive global collaboration and progress or a source of conflict and exploitation if not managed wisely through international agreements and cooperation.
"Before their parents died, their only real family drama was Benny, freaking out Ma and Dad because she’d insisted on filling them in on the details of her love life."
The quote underscores that the family's life was relatively free from major conflicts or issues before this point. The primary source of drama and concern within the family was Benny, the sister of the protagonist Byron. Benny's behavior is described as "freaking out Ma and Dad" because she insisted on sharing the intimate details of her romantic relationships. This behavior is seen as disruptive and attention-seeking. This quote illuminates a central theme in the story – the evolving dynamics within the family particularly Benny's struggle to find her identity and the impact it has on her relationships with her parents and siblings. It also foreshadows the shift in family dynamics following the death of the parents and the potentially complicated interactions between Byron and Benny as they deal with their mother's passing.
"But you didn’t just disappear for five decades and then go back as if nothing had happened."
This quote reflects the complex emotions and challenges faced by the character Eleanor Bennett. In this statement, Eleanor is contemplating the idea of returning to her homeland after a long absence. She recognizes the impossibility of simply going back as if nothing had changed. Eleanor has been away for five decades and during that time she has likely undergone significant personal growth and faced various life experiences. She acknowledges that returning would entail confronting her past, explaining her long absence, and reconciling with the changes that have occurred in her absence. The quote encapsulates the idea that one cannot erase the passage of time and its impact.
"But I was not the first person to go through the world living two separate lives..."
The quote alludes to the complex duality of one's existence and the idea of hiding one's true self from the world. The speaker, Benny’s mother, reflects on the experience of leading a double life. This duality could stem from various factors such as societal expectations, fear, or the desire to conform. It suggests that many individuals at some point in their lives face the struggle of presenting one persona to the external world while harboring an entirely different self internally. This quote highlights the universal nature of this human experience and the profound impact it can have on a person's sense of identity and the choices they make.
