How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"I don't know. I guess she just assumes I'm another stupid black kid. So it's easier to pretend to be stupid than to be bothered with all that grade-grubbin' that the white kids do. Lots a white kids, and some of the white teachers too, think all of us are sorta dumb." (14.47)
When the therapist asks why teachers never call on him, this is Andy's response. He's not just dealing with the loss of his friend and his guilt; he's also figuring out his place in the world. Having teachers think he's one thing because of his skin color only hurts him as he tries to figure this out.
Quote #5
"Same way it makes you feel—like cheap crap. So, anyway, we'd play with her for a while, then tell her we'd be right back with Daddy's credit card. I know they thought we were scopin' them for a robbery—if you look back into the store right after we left, you could see her writin' down vital information, scribblin' furiously our height and weight and skin color so she can identify us when we come back to rob her silly behind." (17.9)
In the mall, people get nervous because they're black, Andy says. He and Rob would make a joke of it and pretend to be interested in buying stuff just to see the salespeople squirm, but in reality, it really got to him.
Quote #6
"Why is that in the literature and poems and everythin' we read in English class, black usually stands for somethin' bad and white stands for somethin' good? The good guys always ride a white horse, and the bad guy is always a black-hearted villain. How come?" (19.31)
Andy asks his English teach why these colors always mean good or bad, which starts a class discussion about imagery. In Andy's life, this is sometimes how he feels. It's as though teachers and store clerks think black people aren't as smart or rich as white people in his world. Want more? Head on over to the "Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory" section.