How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
He knew taking money was wrong. His nannan had told him never to steal. He didn't want to steal. But he didn't have a solitary dime in his pocket. (1.7)
Morality often goes out the window when necessity comes into play. Jefferson does know right from wrong, and remembers who taught him all about it, but somehow his empty pockets become more powerful than his nannan's lessons.
Quote #2
He took the money out of hunger and plain stupidity. (1.11)
Grant is telling it like it is. He admits that Jefferson did take the money. He also acknowledges that it was a result of poverty, not necessarily meanness. However, he recognizes that it was one of the stupidest things Jefferson could have done in that moment, and sealed his fate in the electric chair.
Quote #3
Fifteen or twenty families sent their children to the school, and I always made it a point—they expected it of me—to ask them to do something for the school during the six-month session. (3.2)
Because the school gets little to no support from the school district, the families have to work together to make sure that it has the supplies it needs, like wood to burn in the winter. Even though this is a sign of poverty, you can see that it is also a point of pride among the families, who expect to be asked to help.