“The gun’s slinky power has a special appeal to the young, the weak, the confused and the powerless. To those overlooked or spurned, access to a firearm is the spark of agency.”
This quote emphasizes the gun's ability to instill a sense of agency and power in those who have traditionally been overlooked and marginalized. It emphasizes how the gun has become a part of people's cultural mythology, with images of it appearing frequently in entertainment and media. It implies that in a world where resources and power are unequally distributed, the gun can become a symbol of power and a form of self-assertion for those who feel powerless.
“Firearm would be a dark presence I can do without under my own roof. Too much sinister potential. Too much unearnt power.”
The narrator is reluctant to own a gun despite recognizing the need for one. He is aware of the dangers of having an accessible firearm in the home and is concerned about the potential for someone to misuse it. This quote highlights the narrator's wariness when it comes to owning a gun and the potential risks associated with it, as well as their concern for the safety of their family, friends, and neighbors. The narrator is also expressing a sense of responsibility and accountability for the power that comes with owning a firearm and is not willing to take the risk of having one in the home.
“When it comes to sharks, fear equals money. The more lurid the pics and headlines, the better.”
The quote implies that the media and advertisers profit from people's fear of sharks. This is due to the irrational fear and disgust that many Australians have towards sharks and the desire to portray them as "demons". Advertising and media companies have exploited this fear to create sensationalized shark stories and images to increase viewership and profits. By portraying the shark as a "bad guy," the media and advertisers can profit from the public's fear and generate more revenue. This quote emphasizes the exploitative and manipulative nature of the media and advertisers, who are more than willing to profit from people's fear.
“When I was lonely, confused and angry, the ocean was always there, a vast salty poultice sucking the poison from my system.”
The narrator speaks to the ocean's ability to provide solace and respite from the stresses of life, both in adolescence and adulthood. He paints a vivid picture of how surfing can provide a much-needed escape from society's pressures and its expectation that people "hurl themselves at the future" rather than inhabiting the present. The ocean is described as a "vast salty poultice," a healing balm that can suck out the poison and provide peace of mind. The narrator speaks of the ocean's ability to transport him into a state of divine bliss, providing a sense of calm and well-being that is difficult to find in everyday life.
