How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The woman had made her feel lonely in a way. Lonely and inauthentic. (2.9)
When Jade remembers seeing a tall African woman in a French grocery store, she remembers how deeply this woman shook her sense of identity. Jade is basically happy, but this African woman makes her feel self-conscious about how much she has neglected her black roots in order to succeed in a white person's world.
Quote #2
"[Sometimes] I want to get out of my skin and be only the person inside—not American—not black—just me." (2.9)
Jade wishes that she could have an identity that didn't include her race. She just wishes she could be racially neutral. This is an interesting wish, since 'neutral' is often how white people tend to think of themselves. The desire to not have a race might actually reflect Jade's desire to be white.
Quote #3
"Well, at least we knew Mary's name. Mary," said Jadine.
"Nope," said Son.
"No?"
"Thérèse." (6.194-197).
Like her white patrons Valerian and Margaret, Jade neglects to learn the real names of the local black Dominicans who work around Valerian's vacation home. She feels confident that she knows a certain woman as Mary, but Son informs her that the woman's name is actually Thérèse. Son has only been on Isle des Chevaliers for a week, and he already learned more about the local people than Jade has.