How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Instead, my friends and I would go to our usual place near the back of the churchyard and sit on the tombstones of people who had been buried there way before slavery was abolished, in 1833. (5.7)
The tombstones are an important location for Annie and her friends. This is a place of secrecy for the girls who are experimenting with their sexuality and their developing bodies. Also, this is a historically significant location because Annie and her friends are aware that this is a cemetery from the days of slavery, the place where their ancestors' "masters" were buried.
Quote #8
Then, hearing the gate continue to slam, she came out to us in a fury, because we were not obeying her, and she was just about to shout at us when she saw her child swinging from the gate by his neck. She screamed and rushed over to him, calling out to a neighbor, who came immediately with a cutlass and cut the rope from around Mineu's neck. […] Much was said about my not calling for help, and everybody wondered what would have happened if his mother hadn't been nearby. (6.13)
This is another story-within-a-story moment in which Annie recalls a time when "something bad almost happened" while playing with Mineu as children (6.13)—Mineu almost hanged himself. It's suggested that, at least subconsciously, Annie wished to see something bad happen to Mineu. After all, her had been pretty dang cruel to her.
Quote #9
As my heels bumped up against the trunk, my heart just broke, and I cried and cried. At that moment, I missed my mother more than I had ever imagined possible and wanted only to live somewhere quiet and beautiful with her alone, but also at that moment I wanted only to see her lying dead, all withered and in a coffin at my feet. (6.27)
Notice Annie's ambiguous feelings towards her mother here. She wants to be live in seclusion with her mother and also wants to see her dead. People are complicated, and Annie is no exception.