Annie John Coming-of-Age Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

During my sickness, I had grown to a considerable height—almost equal to my grandmother's. In bed now, I had to double myself up to fit properly. (7.26).

Just as Ma Chess seems to be the most spiritually significant character in the book, she is also the tallest. When she grows to almost the same height as Ma Chess, Annie seems to be reaching some clarity in her life.

Quote #11

I was on the verge of feeling that it had all been a mistake, but I remembered that I wasn't a child anymore, and that now when I made up my mind about something I had to see it through. At that moment, we came to the ship, and that was that. (8.18)

At the end of the book, Annie is voicing her mother's own thoughts about her. She isn't afraid to say that she "isn't a child anymore," unlike the twelve-year-old version of herself who was frightened of change.