It begins to seem to Dennett that being a little mentally unstable might be a benefit here.

"If we're going to die, why can't we at least choose to die for something?" He's no Sylvester Stallone: it probably comes out as more of a question than a statement of machismo.

"They say drowning is kind of peaceful, at least. Eaten by a shark....or rats...?" He can't believe he's even trying to rationalize this. But he's following, clutching his knife. "I think if I tried to attack a shark I'd just make it angry."