How we cite our quotes: Chapter.paragraph
Quote #4
"Hey you, boy! Where ya'll going so fast? Looking for Mr. Raymond?"
I stop and catch my breath. I'm in a hurry but it's important to show respect. Blander knows I speak English. Besides, he's always nice to me. "Yes, sir." (2.62-63)
Calogero knows that once you have earned someone's respect, you don't want to ruin it. It is a valuable thing to have.
Quote #5
"You'll paint it black. But later. Tomorrow paint it white. […] He'll see how fancy we can be. With a new wood porch, white and clean. […] As good as his."
Wasting all that white paint—all that money—just to impress the doctor? (6.14-15)
Even in 1899 people were trying to keep up with the Joneses, a.k.a. buy new stuff to look wealthy or higher class. Does this really make Francesco an equal to the doctor?
Quote #6
"Could I make myself useful ma'am?"
The women hush and look at me as though I've said a bad word. Then the one I addressed smiles wryly. "You already been useful child. And polite. Much obliged." (11.43-44)
The respect Calogero shows these women, so used to being treated like dirt, shocks them, especially because they have never really spent time with Sicilians and didn't know what to expect of them. What a nice surprise.