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We the Animals
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"We the Animals" Quotes

Three young brothers navigate a tumultuous childhood and explore their identities in this raw and powerful coming-of-age story.

Quotes

We wanted more. We knocked the butt ends of our forks against the table, tapped our spoons against our empty bowls; we were hungry.

Justin Torres

hungerdesire

We were six snatching hands, six stomping feet; we were brothers, boys, three little kings locked in a feud for more.

Justin Torres

brotherhoodrivalry

We wanted more. We wanted more. We knocked the butt ends of our forks against the table, tapped our spoons against our empty bowls; we were hungry.

Justin Torres

hungerdesire

We were smooth, we knew what to say, we were polite, we were perfect, we were little gentlemen.

Justin Torres

behaviorpoliteness

We broke everything and we were free.

Justin Torres

freedomrebellion

We lay there in our room, in our beds, while our father's anger built a wall between us.

Justin Torres

familyconflict

We were two small boys lying in our beds, our chests rising and falling, breathing each other's air, saying nothing, thinking nothing, yet knowing everything.

Justin Torres

brotherhoodconnection

We had to leave the table and go down to the cellar, to the dark and the dust, to the gleaming jars, to the bittersweet. We had to leave the table and pick up our own hatchets.

Justin Torres

responsibilitygrowing up

We were kissing and wrestling, nibbling and fighting; we were ruthless and arrogant. We were just boys, just two small boys in a big house.

Justin Torres

youthplayfulness

We were the oldest, the only ones who could ask the questions. We wanted to know what the world was like, what the world was up to.

Justin Torres

curiosityexploration