"The trouble you’d be in if it wasn’t for Dev…What you need to start doing is showing him a modicum of respect."
This quote provides insight into the power dynamics between Dev and the brothers, Gabe and Sketch. In this passage, Gabe is asserting Dev’s role as the one who keeps Doll from greater harm, which implies that Dev’s influence is the only thing protecting Doll from further brutality. This scene underlines the precariousness of Doll's situation where even minor defiance could lead to grave consequences. Gabe’s line suggests a thin veneer of respect among the characters, despite the constant threat of violence. Dev is portrayed as a passive but essential player in the volatile environment, which heightens his internal struggle of whether to act against or remain complicit with the Ferdias. It also shows Gabe's manipulative nature, offering Doll a false sense of security that hinges entirely on Dev's intervention.
"I told you I wasn’t having a heart attack."
Dev is in a moment of physical and emotional distress yet his response to Sketch's concern is dismissive. The tension in this quote stems from the intense environment in which Dev finds himself—under pressure from the Ferdias who misinterpret his condition as a heart attack. His insistence that he is fine, despite clear signs of strain, reflects his deep internalization of pain and weakness. The Ferdias’ reaction is also indicative of their ignorance and lack of true concern for Dev’s well-being. As such, it highlights the transactional and utilitarian nature of their relationship. This brief exchange underscores the theme of emotional repression that runs through the novel. In that, Dev constantly downplays or suppresses his suffering to maintain control in situations where he feels powerless.
“You couldn’t do anything until you did another thing first."
This statement reflects the existential theme within the narrative—the paralyzing complexity of decision-making and the feeling of being trapped by life's conditions. Dev’s realization that action is contingent upon previous action reveals his anxiety about moving forward in life. This seemingly simple line underscores the novel's focus on the difficulties of progression and change in the face of overwhelming inertia. It also conveys the theme of personal responsibility: Dev acknowledges the interconnectedness of actions but remains burdened by his inability to move. The quote acts as a metaphor for the sense of being trapped in cycles of expectation, failure, and self-doubt.
