--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Connor smiles, and Risa takes a moment to…" description: "\"“Connor smiles, and Risa takes a moment to look down at the shark on his wrist. It holds no fear for her now, because the shark has been tamed by the s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/neal-shusterman-412_fear_connor-smiles-and-risa-takes-a-moment-to_897274.png" --- # Connor smiles, and Risa takes a moment to look down at the… ![“Connor smiles, and Risa takes a moment to look down at the shark on his wrist. It holds no fear for her now, because the shark has been tamed by the soul of a boy. No - the soul of a man.” quote by Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/neal-shusterman-412_fear_connor-smiles-and-risa-takes-a-moment-to_897274.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/neal-shusterman-412_fear_connor-smiles-and-risa-takes-a-moment-to_897274.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/neal-shusterman-412_fear_connor-smiles-and-risa-takes-a-moment-to_897274.png) > ““Connor smiles, and Risa takes a moment to look down at the shark on his wrist. It holds no fear for her now, because the shark has been tamed by the soul of a boy. No - the soul of a man.”” [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A boy’s inner strength tames fear, symbolized by a shark tattoo, showing growth from boy to man. **In simple terms:** Inner courage conquers fear. Key Takeaway Cultivate inner strength to face challenges. Themes growth courage identity Mood hopeful reflective Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - personal crisis - overcoming fear - self‑discovery - adolescent development Key Concepts symbolism coming‑of‑age Questions to Reflect On - What inner qualities help you tame fear? - How does personal growth change your perception of danger? A Different Perspective Taming fear may be temporary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Connor Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connor-smiles-1208225/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear Shark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-shark-632845/) [Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fish/) [Look Shark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look-shark-1208226/) [Shark Tamed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shark-tamed-632844/) [Shark Wrist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shark-wrist-767921/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I know this is your hand now,' she tells him. "Roland would have never touched me like that." Connor smiles, and Risa takes a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/i-know-this-is-your-hand-now-she-tells-him-roland-would-have-never/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [It holds no fear for her now, because the shark has been tamed by the soul of a boy. No--the soul of a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/it-holds-no-fear-for-her-now-because-the-shark-has-been-tamed-by-the/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [Connor smiles with mocking warmth at him, and glances at the tattoo on his wrist. "I like your dolphin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/connor-smiles-with-mocking-warmth-at-him-and-glances-at-the-tattoo-on/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [Undoubtedly, church fish fries and picnics help build social cohesion. 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I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) ## More by Neal Shusterman > [“Picking locks was not a skill he had ever cultivated, but he persisted day after day, turning the tip of his talon into different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/picking-locks-was-not-a-skill-he-had-ever-cultivated-but-he-persisted/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [“If you come anywhere near my daughter, I will see to it that you are taken apart piece by bloody piece. 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