How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph), (Chapter.Figure)
Quote #4
Tomorrow they'll throw away our broken things. That doesn't matter, of course. My dad and I oppose personal property on principle. Personal property will disappear when Communism comes. But still. (7.1)
The "But still" is interesting here. Even though he blindly spouts the party line about private property, it's not clear that he really understands this principle. After all, Sasha's only ten years old, and he's just seen his dad taken away and everything he's ever known destroyed. We'd "But still," too if we were in his position.
Quote #5
Tomorrow everything will be better. Tomorrow Stalin will rescue my dad. Tomorrow I will be a Pioneer. I drift off and dream of the Pioneers rally and see my dad, who's smiling and tying the Pioneer scarf around my neck. (10.4)
Check out the young, naive idealism. He's got it bad. He still thinks that his dad will come back and that Stalin will realize his "mistake." Still, being hopeful and optimistic are not bad traits to have, and if nothing else, it shows that Sasha has confidence in his father. Too bad he's in for one major letdown.
Quote #6
"Those in favor of sending Finkelstein to the principal, raise your hands."
All hands pop up.
Nina Petrovna turns to me and I see that she's surprised. "Are you undecided, Zaichik, or against?" (13.24-26)
Whoo whoo! The Grow Up Train has left the station, and it looks like Sasha's had his ticket punched. Here, Sasha's hesitation suggests that he's starting to mature. Up until now, we've seen him blindly repeating the party line or just doing what he's told without question. This is the first time he's halfway thought for himself. It also shows the sympathy he has for Four-Eyes (he's sorry he threw the snowball at him).