The Declaration Quotes
"Sometimes I long for a second name, even a horrible one."
"We’re all Surpluses at Grange Hall. Surplus to requirements."
"Each and every Surplus could be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back."
"I wonder how the Authorities do it and whether it hurts."
"I’m not sure she’s exactly right about that, although I’d never say that to her."
"I think flowers can be just as important as food, sometimes."
"I loved working there – mainly because of Mrs Sharpe being so nice."
"It must be amazing to travel to foreign countries."
"Surpluses who thought too much were useless and difficult."
"You have to decide whether you’re going to live a life of slavery or not."
"I’m a Prefect. A Prefect. In six months I’m going to be a Valuable Asset."
"Your parents love you, Anna Covey. They love you."
"Being Surplus means you have to limit your impact on the earth."
"I am here. And so are you. Surpluses aren’t here to like things, Peter, they’re here to do things."
"The higher you allow yourself to climb, the further you have to come crashing down to earth."
"Know Your Place, Anna. Know Your Place. You are nothing. You deserve nothing."
"Every step she takes along these corridors are steps that she has stolen."
"Old leaves fall off trees, don’t they? Why should the old humans stay and the new ones not be allowed?"
"I'm not like you. I belong here. I'm not like you."
"Children are important and every life matters."
"Everyone would fear her again. And love her, of course."
"Control was essential just to get you through the day."
"She had sat in that very spot, trying to make sense of her new surroundings."
"All she really cared about was Peter, waiting for her down in Solitary."
"Wanted to feel once more that wonderful feeling of being accepted fully, for what she was."
"I refuse to clean any more," she continued. "It's not my job, anyway."
"You're a Surplus," she screamed. "You don't talk to me like that."
"But she had never been so happy in her whole life."
"‘We’ll be fine, Anna, I promise,’ Peter said, as if sensing her fear."
"The whole world was suddenly available to her, right there in front of her."
"‘One day there will be posters about the Longevity Problem,’ he said angrily."
"I think you’re right about Solitary. Better to put her down there than have people talk."
"‘She ought to be in Solitary,’ Maisie continued defiantly."
"‘The Underground Movement will be very grateful,’ he said stiffly."
"We’re the ones who know the truth. If it wasn’t for us, the world would be a very different place, you know."
"They could be anywhere, and we need to pitch in, to do our bit."
"‘I don’t think they’re dangerous, Barbara,’ Julia said, frowning slightly."
"The very idea! You know, we had a search in the village just this afternoon."
"The fact of the matter is, she shouldn’t be alive, Julia. She just shouldn’t."
"We cannot stand by and let two Surpluses threaten everything that Longevity has brought us."
"They’re just a melting pot for young thugs, Julia. And so near the village too."
"‘They’re ignorant, that’s all,’ he agreed heartily. ‘Poor Surpluses? Don’t make me laugh.’"
"Surpluses have no right to life in the first place. No right at all."
"Hiding Surpluses is outrageous, Mrs Sharpe. Defying the Authorities and the Declaration is not acceptable."
"You know, of course, that Longevity can be withheld in prison."
"It might smell of dog, I’m afraid. I used the car to drive a friend’s Labrador to the vet the other day."
"You can’t do this . . . you can’t." "Oh, but we can, Mrs Sharpe. We can."
"Forgive me, Anna. I’m sorry I’m not stronger. But I’m not ready to die – not yet."
"You are not Surplus," she whispered to him, "You will never be Surplus. Never."
"I once thought my parents were Selfish, that they didn’t care about me. But they did care."
"I’m not afraid of dying. I’m not afraid of anything any more."
"Life on the Outside is very different from Grange Hall. Better different. Wonderful different."
"I know that the world is the most beautiful place to be and that we’re very lucky to be here."
"Knowing something’s going to end makes you appreciate it more, makes you want to savour every moment."