“You aren't a hero and I'm not beautiful and we probably won't live happily ever after…But we're alive and together and we're going to be all right.”
The statement captures the themes of resilience, hope, and companionship that are found throughout the book. By saying that neither of them is a “hero” or “beautiful”, Hester is affirming that they are just ordinary people trying to survive in an extraordinary situation. Hester's words reflect the novel’s theme of anti-traction or the idea that cities should not be constantly in motion. Hester and Tom have chosen to reject the London lifestyle of never-ending pursuit, and instead, they are trying to find a way to protect their world from destruction. The quotation also captures the bond that has formed between Hester and Tom throughout their journey. Even though they started as strangers, they have become allies and friends, and they are now determined to protect each other and their world. Despite the odds, they have managed to stay together and find a way to get back to London and face their enemies. Her words also indicate that they are not expecting a perfect ending, but they are still determined to do what they can to protect their world.
“He cut through the 21st Century gallery, past the big plastic statues of Pluto and Mickey, animal-headed gods of lost America.”
The excerpt talks about Tom as he is cutting through the 21st Century gallery of the London Museum of History. This quote highlights the contrast between Tom's world and the world before the Sixty-Minute War. The museum gallery is filled with large plastic replicas of gods from "lost America," recapping the power of the past and the devastation caused by the war. Tom, coming from a post-apocalyptic world, is unfazed by these items and is instead focused on the present and future. He is a character that is more concerned with what is happening now, not what has happened in the past. This is a key part of his character development and gives insight into his mindset, his outlook on life, and his drive to move forward and make things better. Tom's passing of these statues showcases the knowledge and understanding of these cultures that have been lost over time.
“When we have devoured the last wandering city and demolished the last static settlement we will begin digging. We will build great engines, powered by the heat of the earth’s core, and steer our planet from its orbit.”
Magnus Crome is describing a future in which all cities have been destroyed, leaving only the bare earth. He postulates that the survivors will dig deep into the earth and build powerful engines to power them, allowing them to steer the planet from its orbit. This idea of using the heat of the earth’s core to power the engines sustains that the people of the future have access to advanced technology that allows them to tap into the planet’s energy. This could enable them to travel to other planets, as well as to explore and colonize other areas of space. However, Magnus Crome’s quote also has deeper implications. It speaks to a future in which humanity has not only destroyed their cities but is now actively working to alter the planet itself. The idea of humans taking such drastic action to change their environment implies a profound shift in the way humanity interacts with the planet and its resources. Ultimately, the quote presents a frightening vision of the future, one in which humans have used up the resources of their planet and must resort to desperate measures to continue living.
