How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
It did not look at all like a kitchen. No hanging ducks or hams. No woodpile or soot. No picture of the Kitchen God. Just a tiny room with a washing bowl and two white boxes. (2.57)
Shirley's got to get used to a lot of new things in America, this home being one of them. It's completely different from the Chinese kitchen. It's not elaborate and is rather simple. Is that what America is like? Downgrading from Chinese traditions? She's not sure.
Quote #5
Each house was a replica of theirs. Every place stuck to the next. Wall to wall, without any gardens. No moon gates or fan windows or stone lions. Now and then a tree, but no flower beds. (2.89)
Once again, Chinese homes are far better than American houses, at least in terms of Shirley's initial impressions. Chinese homes are far more elaborate and pretty, while the places in Brooklyn look all the same. Where'd all the creativity go? All the pretty things? Again—is this a downgrade? We get why she's wondering.
Quote #6
So what if she did not see her friends until September. She had Mother and Father and Señora, not to mention Toscanini. (7.9)
Eventually, after forming more social bonds, Shirley has begun to identify home with her new residence. Even if her friends are away for the summer, she's got her family in the apartment building, and they make her feel comfortable and she enjoys their company. It'll be a good summer.