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Bill Kingsley
Razza is the Year Nine class clown and, according to Ishmael, an obvious choice for the debating team. He wants to be either a politician or a standup comedian when he grows up, so it makes sense to Ishmael that Razza would join for the speaking practice. It soon becomes obvious, though, that Razza joined debating because of the opportunities it would give him to meet girls from other schools. Razza seldom, if ever, takes anything seriously. He constantly makes jokes and puns that, while funny, annoy Scobie and Ishmael in particular. Razza is also not the best debater, as he tends to rely on his perceived charm with mixed results. But as Ishmael gets to know Razza better, he also comes to realize that Razza is a loyal friend to both him and Bill Kingsley. Razza is an important cheerleader for Ishmael as Ishmael grapples with his crush on Kelly, though Razza’s support isn’t always useful—his teasing notes about Ishmael’s crush are part of what causes Ishmael to faint during a debate. While Razza insists that Barry’s bullying (of which he’s also been a victim) shouldn’t bother anyone since Barry is a “wanker,” he also agrees with Ishmael that it’s worth any possible pain or humiliation to defend Bill. But Razza never actually takes on Barry to defend Bill—instead, Ishmael realizes that Razza’s real power is in his friendship and his loyalty. Despite not liking “space stuff,” when Razza hears that Bill is planning to see the third installment of a sci-fi trilogy the week after school lets out, Razza insists not just on accompanying Bill to the theater, but on planning a marathon to watch the first two movies in the series. He makes Bill laugh and feel supported, and Ishmael greatly admires Razza’s kindness.
Orazio “Razza” Zorzotto Quotes in Don’t Call Me Ishmael
The Don’t Call Me Ishmael quotes below are all either spoken by Orazio “Razza” Zorzotto or refer to Orazio “Razza” Zorzotto. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 25
Quotes
Even though we had improved from last time, the difference again was Scobie. It was like having Michael Phelps swimming the final leg for you in the under-seven floaties relay. As long as we could keep the opposition vaguely in sight, we knew that Scobie would reel them in and eat them up.
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Chapter 35
Quotes
“Well, I guess you could say that part of it’s about how power can be used in a good way or a bad way, and you could tie that to things like the power that big companies or politicians or dictators have today, I suppose. And Harry himself faces a lot of problems that I reckon would be relevant to a lot of people—you know, like coping with death and trying to fit in when you’re different…and bullying.”
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“Oh, and Orazio…I know we’re not headed for Mount Doom or anything, but we are on a bit of a quest, aren’t we? Maybe we’re even some sort of a fellowship.”
Razza sprawled back in his seat and shook his head slowly from side to side as if nothing made sense to him anymore. Finally he stood up, leaned over the table, and placed his hand on Bill’s shoulder.
I held my breath. I had a terrible feeling that Orazio Zorzotto’s razor-sharp wit was about to slice Bill Kingsley in two.
Razza fixed his eyes on the large form before him. “I will follow you,” he said solemnly, “my brother…my captain…my…Kingsley.”
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Chapter 36
Quotes
Razza nudged me in the ribs and jerked his head toward Bill Kingsley, who was gazing into space beside him. I knew what Razza was getting at. Bill looked different somehow. It must have been the smile on his face.
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Chapter 46
Quotes
I heard a strange noise come from deep within Bill Kingsley. It took me a moment to realize that he was laughing.
Razza looked back at me, flashed that deadly smile, and gave me the thumbs-up.
They were right all along. The Razzman really did work in mysterious ways.
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Chapter 50
Quotes
But do you want to know the really weird thing? Well, I’ll tell you. The really weird thing was that as I lay there with only the raspy sound of my breathing filling my ears and with the spongy grass of St. Daniel’s playing fields buoying me up, I could have sworn that I was floating and bobbing on the surface of a vast green ocean. Remind you of anyone?
Go on—call me Ishmael if you like.
After all, as the Big Z would say, I’m da man!
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Get the entire Don’t Call Me Ishmael LitChart as a printable PDF.
Orazio “Razza” Zorzotto Quotes in Don’t Call Me Ishmael
The Don’t Call Me Ishmael quotes below are all either spoken by Orazio “Razza” Zorzotto or refer to Orazio “Razza” Zorzotto. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 25
Quotes
Even though we had improved from last time, the difference again was Scobie. It was like having Michael Phelps swimming the final leg for you in the under-seven floaties relay. As long as we could keep the opposition vaguely in sight, we knew that Scobie would reel them in and eat them up.
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Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 35
Quotes
“Well, I guess you could say that part of it’s about how power can be used in a good way or a bad way, and you could tie that to things like the power that big companies or politicians or dictators have today, I suppose. And Harry himself faces a lot of problems that I reckon would be relevant to a lot of people—you know, like coping with death and trying to fit in when you’re different…and bullying.”
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Page Number and Citation:
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“Oh, and Orazio…I know we’re not headed for Mount Doom or anything, but we are on a bit of a quest, aren’t we? Maybe we’re even some sort of a fellowship.”
Razza sprawled back in his seat and shook his head slowly from side to side as if nothing made sense to him anymore. Finally he stood up, leaned over the table, and placed his hand on Bill’s shoulder.
I held my breath. I had a terrible feeling that Orazio Zorzotto’s razor-sharp wit was about to slice Bill Kingsley in two.
Razza fixed his eyes on the large form before him. “I will follow you,” he said solemnly, “my brother…my captain…my…Kingsley.”
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Chapter 36
Quotes
Razza nudged me in the ribs and jerked his head toward Bill Kingsley, who was gazing into space beside him. I knew what Razza was getting at. Bill looked different somehow. It must have been the smile on his face.
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Chapter 46
Quotes
I heard a strange noise come from deep within Bill Kingsley. It took me a moment to realize that he was laughing.
Razza looked back at me, flashed that deadly smile, and gave me the thumbs-up.
They were right all along. The Razzman really did work in mysterious ways.
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Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 50
Quotes
But do you want to know the really weird thing? Well, I’ll tell you. The really weird thing was that as I lay there with only the raspy sound of my breathing filling my ears and with the spongy grass of St. Daniel’s playing fields buoying me up, I could have sworn that I was floating and bobbing on the surface of a vast green ocean. Remind you of anyone?
Go on—call me Ishmael if you like.
After all, as the Big Z would say, I’m da man!
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
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Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
