How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Jaws.
Quote #1
BRODY: You know, Ellen, people don't even know how old sharks are. And I mean if they live two, three thousand years. They don't know!
Before Hooper (the science guy) arrives, Chief Brody's doing some research of his own. But he realizes almost from the get-go that science is limited—we actually don't know all that much about these mysterious creatures.
Quote #2
HOOPER: The torso has been severed in mid-thorax […] massive tissue loss in the upper musculature. […] Partially denuded bone remaining […] It indicates the non-frenzied feeding of a large squalus possibly Longimanus or Isurus glaucous.
With this scene Hooper quickly establishes his bona fides as the resident scientific authority. The guy's a total pro. If he can't help Chief Brody, nobody can. You gotta wonder, though—what would a frenzied feeding have left of Chrissie Watkins? Not much, we assume. (Shudder.)
Quote #3
HOOPER: Now, the enormous amount of tissue loss prevents any detailed analysis; however, the attacking squalus must be considerably larger than any normal squalus found in these waters.
Although Hooper acknowledges that this ain't your garden variety killer shark, he still uses scientific terminology, grounding his perspective in scientific reality—at least for now.