A Year Down Yonder Coming of Age Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

I supposed my life was over. On Monday at school, I couldn't even look Royce McNabb's way. I supposed all his worst fears about me had been realized, and then some. Now he thought I lived in a madhouse with a trigger-happy grandma and snakes and naked—nude women in the attic. (6.129)

Is there anything worse when you're a teenager than being embarrassed by your own family? Or actually, just being embarrassed in general? Mary Alice is horrified by the events that happen when she invites Royce over. She's pretty sure she and her crazy grandmother have made the worst. First impression. Ever.

Quote #8

At last, Miss Butler chanced a glance across the groaning table at Arnold Green. I was too young to know how much a dangerous man interests a good woman.

His glasses were steamed from the dinner, so it was hard to catch his eye. But she spoke. "I so admire the artistic temperament." (6.153-154)

Mary Alice thinks she's all grown-up, but she still doesn't know the inner workings of how people are attracted to each other. And so she's absolutely floored when Miss Butler and Arnold Green hit it off. Who would have thought it? Aside from Grandma Dowdel, of course.

Quote #9

Graduation was coming, though we were only graduating five: four girls who never spoke to anybody younger, just like in Chicago, and Royce McNabb. They'd chosen their class motto:

WE FINISH—
ONLY TO BEGIN. (7.6-7)

All good things must come to an end. Before Mary Alice realizes it, the school year is over and she's spent all this time at Grandma Dowdel's without going crazy with boredom. So…now what? Has she finished something, like the class motto suggests? And if so, what is she about to begin?