S. is still amazed by the fact that Osfour is bleeding, and therefore “real.”

Meanwhile, Jen and Eric have met in real life and are so excited about the reality of each other that Jen cries. This is one of the subtle moments where Dorst employs gender stereotypes and internalized misogyny by portraying Jen as hysterical and Eric as a put together male.

Another important quote highlights the question of identity: “A shooter is not just a man with a gun, but a man who choose to pull its trigger.” As Eric points out “Self as role vs. self as choice?” All protagonists in S. as well as Ship Of Theseus struggle to answer this question.