“Anger became her way of coping. If she could not have it, she did not want it. She could hunt, that would have to be enough. She was an outsider with a reputation for being difficult, and only her mother knew how badly she grieved, and how much she hated pity.”
The quote accentuates Ea's inner struggles to cope with her disability and the feelings of envy she has for other dolphins in her pod. This manifests itself as anger which becomes a form of coping mechanism for Ea. She is deeply hurt that she cannot spin and make beautiful music in the ocean. As a result, hunting becomes her only outlet even if it is barely as satisfying or comforting as spinning. Ea also carries a heavy burden of guilt adding complexity to her already difficult journey towards self-acceptance. Despite this, she does not want pity from anyone else as she wants to be seen on equal footing with everyone else in the pod. The quote highlights how much strength and resilience Ea has proving that while circumstances may seem insurmountable at times, they are never truly impossible.
“They prayed to the ocean before they went out hunting and gave thanks to the prey when they returned. But for past injuries, they harboured feelings of revenge to the Tursiops, who everyone knew were barbarians”
The quote speaks to the complexities of human emotion even if it is coming from an underwater society of dolphins. Despite the Longi tribe being peaceful and harmonious, they harbor feelings of revenge towards their enemies, the Tursiops. While they may strive for understanding and peace, they also feel rage at those who wronged them. This quote also demonstrates that there can be exceptions when it comes to different species interacting with each other. The violence, physical domination, and patriarchy present in the Tursiop tribe demonstrate how similar human behavior can be replicated in nature. It illustrates how certain behaviors such as aggression have been passed down through generations which has led to this deep-seated resentment between two pods of dolphins. It also highlights Ea's internal conflict between her desire to forgive and her need for justice.
“This ocean was neither pure nor joyful with all kinds of life, as she had been taught it was. Despite the currents and waves, this water had a thick and sullen quality and Ea compulsively checked her skin for stains or smears.”
This excerpt highlights how Ea's world has changed from one filled with joy and innocence to one where danger lurks around every corner. It expresses the effects of environmental degradation such as pollution which have tainted her experience. Ea may have grown up knowing the ocean as a haven, but she quickly learns that it is now an unforgiving environment filled with unknown dangers and uncertainties. She is keenly aware of these changes as she compulsively checks her skin for stains or smears. This quote also speaks to humanity's relationship with nature. We have long seen oceans as places full of beauty and magic, however, our increased industrialization has had drastic effects on our planet’s ecosystems. Pollution has caused creatures to mutate or vanish, an issue that Ea must confront during her journey across the sea. By showing us how this once beautiful environment can become so contaminated with darkness, we are reminded of our responsibilities towards nature.
