How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Bandit felt as if she had been summoned by an irate emperor. This time the punishment would be more than harsh words or three strokes of a bamboo cane. Much more. But she had to obey. No one ever disobeyed the Matriarch. (1.43)
While at home in China, Bandit (soon to be known as Shirley) follows her family's traditions strictly. This is a pain in the butt, especially when it comes to crime and punishment—her grandma rules supreme, and always punishes her grandkids, sometimes harshly. But Shirley's got to listen to her since that's just what you do in her family.
Quote #2
The final day of the Year of the Dog lasted until dawn. No one slept. Not even Precious Coins. for tradition had long decreed that a bad dream on any New Year's Eve was an omen of bad tomorrows. To make sure no one had a nightmare, all the beds in the House of Wong stood empty until the skies were lit by the dawn and danger passed. (1.78)
Some Chinese customs are designed to avert ill luck. For example, no one sleeps during the last day before the New Year so that they don't have unlucky dreams. This must have worked, since Shirley had a great year in America in 1947.
Quote #3
"Where is the cook?" Mother asked.
This time Father's crooked smile was even more crooked than usual. "In America, all cooks work in restaurants." (2.58-59)
Shirley's mother is used to the ways of a wealthy Chinese family, which involves having a cook make all of the meals for you. Not so fast, Father says—in America, the customs are different. Traditions and customs vary from culture to culture, country to country, family to family. Mother's going to have to adapt and make some of her own meals, since she's in a place with customs that are different from what she's used to.