How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph), For Prologue: (P.Paragraph), For Epilogue: (E.Paragraph), For footnotes: (Chapter.F.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"I don't know, maybe it's a Midwestern thing, but where I'm from, you're not supposed to brag about yourself. That's what my mom says. She says you should wait for people to recognize your good qualities. And then you should say, like, 'Oh no. I'm not really that great at whatever-it-is. I'm just okay.' And then they'll say, 'No really. You're great.' And you say, 'I'm really not, but thanks anyway for saying so.' And they'll say, 'Yes, you are. You so are!' And you say, 'Gee, do you really think so?' And they'll say, 'Totally!' And then people think you're good at whatever it is you're good at, but they don't think you're braggy about it 'cause that makes you seem like a real tool. Plus it's unladylike." (4.8)
What Mary Lou is saying is sadly so real. A lot of people look down on girls who admit to being proud of themselves for things that they should be legitimately proud of themselves for. Which is why a lot of girls find themselves doing these long verbal dances so it doesn't sound like they are bragging.
Quote #2
Shanti clapped a hand over her mouth and fought to regain her composure. Carefully, she lifted her fingers, which no longer felt like her fingers but like butterflies, light and free. "Why didn't you tell us, Tiara?" "I didn't want to bother you." (8.119-120)
Tiara didn't tell the other girls that she was hallucinating because she was afraid of bothering them. That's a pretty big-deal thing to hide.
Quote #3
"It is important for girls to be likeable." "But why?" Shanti asked. If Mrs. Mirabov had an answer, she wasn't sharing. (8.160-162)
This time it's Shanti's turn to be hallucinating. But the hallucination makes a good point. Likeability is definitely a part of pageant scoring, but does it have any bearing on real life? Mrs. Mirabov's hallucinated silence is as good an answer as any.