How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"You are China's little ambassador." (3.15)
Talk about a lot of weight on a little girl's shoulders. On her first day of school in America, Shirley's mom tells her that she has to represent every single Chinese person to her new classmates. How is a kid supposed to be good enough to represent millions of people and befriend strangers (let alone assimilate into American society if she remains "just" Chinese)? Poor Shirley.
Quote #2
She smiled, imagining the fun of talking about things the others, not Shirley, knew little about--things like the New Year's Parade with the dragon that flew on tall poles, the lion that pounced to the beat of the drums, the acrobats that whirled through the air, the monkeys dressed in gay costumes, and yes, of course, naturally, the blind storyteller. (4.60)
Shirley sees a girl at school she thinks is Chinese. Finally, a friend just like her, who knows all of the things she knows, the same experiences and hobbies. They would be the two Chinese girls with their own customs against the foreign American school and their habits.
Quote #3
They would not ignore her then, not when she could do something they could do, not when she could skate just like an American. (4.81)
Shirley's still an outsider. Sigh. She wants nothing more than to fit in, to become an American (not just a Chinese) kid, so she teaches herself to skate. That's what all the other children do. She figures that once she can do what they do, she'll be an American just like them… but is it that simple?