These quotes are actually from the character of Clay Purvis who becomes acquaintances with Jessie and is the main person Jessie is able to trust on the ship. Purvis is an irishman and is depicted as an ignorant, rough, and abrasive pirate, but he has lived a hard life, so he often unconciously gives Jessie advice on many life matters. Purvis' sometimes indifference to certain events and experiences that others find revolting and shocking, are prime examples of his character and personality which are apparent in these quotes.
"You'll see some bad things, but if you didn't see them, they'd still be
happening..."
Purvis says this as Jessie is being taken to the slave ship. Jessie is only
thirteen, but as Purvis observes, he is not too young to see the harsh truths of
life; his not knowing about them will not make them any less real.
"...they wouldn't have passed laws against slaving if they hadn't found
something else as profitable...that's the way of things"
Purvis's observation expresses the sad truth behind the motives of the slave trade. He knows many things that Jessie eventually comes to know.
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