How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Why had the police arrested Cecile? She wrote "Send us back to Africa" poems and "Movable Type" poems. She didn't write "off the Pig" poems and "Kill Whitey" poems, that is, if writing poems were a crime. (26.19)
It's shocking to Delphine that her mom would be arrested over some words. This, more than anything else, proves the power behind art in the book. The police are worried about the impact Delphine's poems have on people around her since they point out injustices.
Quote #8
The scuffed and dirty papers went in one pile. The rally flyers went in another. The sheets of poetry with Cecile's poet name, Nzila, printed on the bottom went in another. (27.4)
Remember how bent out of shape Cecile got about her kitchen? That's why this scene where the police mess up all of her neat piles hurts so much. It's not just that they are making a mess. They are disrespecting her art, destroying her spirit, and taking away her freedom to express herself.
Quote #9
And that thing, the third thing was, a poet had been born. It wasn't Longfellow, Cecile had written, but it was a running start. (30.36)
When Fern recites a poem at the rally, a poet is born. Coming from Cecile, that's a big deal. Delphine realizes the power of poetry throughout the book, which makes her come to terms with the importance of writing down ideas and using poetry as an art form and way to connect people.