How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #7
[…] I put one arm through one sleeve of the sweater that smells like cottage cheese, and then the other arm through the other and stand there with my arms apart like if the sweater hurts me and it does, all itchy and full of germs that aren't even mine. (18)
The sadness of the sweater intensifies here. It goes from being an annoyance to physically hurting Rachel. And the germs? Talk about the heebie-jeebies.
Quote #8
My face all hot and spit coming out of my mouth because I can't stop the little animal noises from coming out of me, until there aren't any more tears left in my eyes, and it's just my body shaking like when you have the hiccups, and my whole head hurts like when you drink milk too fast. (19)
Rachel's similes about hiccups and brain freezes may be childish, but that's kind of the point. She doesn't have grand, Shakespearean concepts of tragedy to consider because she's only eleven. No Alas, poor Yoricks for this girl. On the other hand, they're still painful things, and the similes allow the reader to better imagine her sadness.
Quote #9
Today I'm eleven. There's a cake Mama's making for tonight, and when Papa comes home from work we'll eat it. There'll be candles and presents and everybody will sing Happy birthday, happy birthday to you, Rachel, only it's too late.
Remember that lack of birthday spirit we mentioned earlier? It returns throughout the story, and Rachel tries to use the fact that it's her special day to make up for the sadness she feels. But once it's all said and done, she knows it's just no use.