Breaking Stalin's Nose Admiration Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph), (Chapter.Figure)

Quote #4

Everyone in the kitchen stops talking when my dad comes in. They look like they are afraid, but I know they are just respectful. (4.1)

Here's the naive side of Sasha. He's blinded by how he worships his father, and doesn't see that people are actually terrified of him (it's not respect).

Quote #5

I see myself reflected in his glasses; scarlet burns at my throat. (4.18)

This image is succinct, but powerful. The reflection in his dad's glasses points to how he wants to be like his dad, and the scarlet scarf that symbolizes the Pioneers, his father, and obedience "burns" his throat. That doesn't have very positive connotations, so it's a Big Clue that this isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Quote #6

That is the way our Nina Petrovna is. She's nice and fair, but when necessary, she's firm. In my opinion, she's the best teacher in our school.

Score another one for naive Sasha. We find out in about two seconds that Nina Petrovna is anything but "nice and fair." And "firm" is certainly the understatement of the year. If by "firm," Sasha means "cold, hard, and cruel," then we're all on the same page.