Top 4 The Knife of Never Letting Go quotes
“If one of us falls, we all fall.”
Aaron, Part 1, Chapter 1
This is Aaron’s most oft-repeated sermon. On the surface level, the contents of this quote seem quite harmless and almost inspiring. It seems to encourage unity and reliance upon one another. As the customs of Prentisstown become more clear, this quote takes on a darker meaning. Aaron uses it as a tool for forcing Todd to become a murderer, uniting him from the other murderers of Prentisstown.
“Men lie, and they lie to theirselves worst of all.”
Todd Hewitt, Part 1, Chapter 2
Early on in the book, we begin to understand that the concept of noise isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Noise allows men to project the lies they tell themselves to everyone around them. They learn to hide their true feelings beneath the Noise of lies.
“Smart boys make useless men.”
Aaron, Part 1, Chapter 6
According to the men of Prentisstown, the only true test of manhood is the ability to murder. Aaron believes that smart boys, who express empathy and a reluctance to harm others eventually become useless men. However, Todd begins to realize the true meaning of manhood by the end of the novel, and he is no longer swayed by the twisted words of his priest.
“A knife is only as good as the one who wields it.”
Davy, Part 4, Chapter 23
Davy is beaten in combat by Todd, but Todd cannot bring himself to kill Davy. The mayor’s son reads this in Todd’s noise and eventually regains the advantage. He seems to believe that the knife is useless in Todd’s hands because he does not have the will to kill. However, Todd repeatedly demonstrates that he can effectively wield the knife to defend himself and his loved ones without having to use the knife.
