How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
I can't take it this way, alone with no fire and in the dark, and next time it might be something worse, maybe a bear and it wouldn't be just quills in the leg, it would be worse. I can't do this, he thought, again and again. I can't. (8.11)
Brian is overwhelmed not just by all the difficulties he's facing, but also by the fact that he has to face them all alone. Fun fact: if you're gonna get poked by a porcupine, it's a lot less painful if you have a buddy with you.
Quote #5
I have a friend, he thought—I have a friend now. A hungry friend, but a good one. I have a friend named fire. (9.38)
Awww. While this is a triumphant moment for the guy, it's also a bit sad that Brian's loneliness is so intense that just having a fire means so much. But it also reminds us that fires aren't just for warmth and light; they're a place to gather, to sing songs and have chats. We're betting Brian could do with a bit of that right now.
Quote #6
So much from a little spark. A friend and a guard from a tiny spark.
He looked around and wished he had somebody to tell this thing, to show this thing he had done. But there was nobody.
Nothing but the trees and the sun and the breeze and the lake.
Nobody. (9.41-45)
It's not only when bad things happen that Brian wishes for companionship—he also wants to share his triumphs, like finally succeeding in building a fire, with someone else. We can't decide which is lonelier—suffering by himself, or triumphing all alone?