UnWholly

“It’s a powerful feeling to know you make others feel safe.”

Starkey thinks this while being transported by the Anti-Divisional Resistance with other recused AWOLs. This thought is specifically inspired by his ability to comfort another girl who has a crush on him while they travel together, hidden in a coffin. Throughout the novel, Starkey only wants to help other people because of this feeling of power that it gives him; this early quote outlines his character’s motivations.

“She would be tithed and would experience the glorious mystery of having a divided body and a networked soul.”

Miracolina uses religious language to describe being unwound. Rather than consider the violent process of unwinding (described in detail in Book 1 of the Unwind series), she sticks to esoteric euphemisms. Until Lev is able to convince her otherwise, Miracolina believes that being tithed is the only way she can help others and positively impact the world.

“His conscience doesn’t bother him. What bothers him are their eyes.”

This passage is about Nelson, an adult character whose point of view is shown by Shusterman in UnWholly. Nelson’s transition from Juvey-cop to parts pirate could be considered progressing further into immorality. Nelson channels any feelings he might have about his increasingly unethical actions into a symbolic sensory organ—eyes. The title of Part 3, Windows of the Soul, references this symbolic redirection and repression.