How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
The nurses and doctors kept asking me questions: How did you get burned? Have you parents ever hurt you? (2.1.14)
To an outsider, Jeannette looks like she comes from a household of neglect and abuse. Heck, to an insider, it can look like that at times. But some people in society feel the need to check out the family. No one tries too hard to figure out how the kids are being treated, though.
Quote #5
"Ugh," [Mom] said. She disapproved of chewing gum, she went on. It was a disgusting, low-class habit, and the nurse should have consulted her before encouraging me in such vulgar behavior. (2.1.25)
This line characterizes Mom as someone who wants to appear classy. Letting your three-year-old cook hot dogs: fine. But chewing gum: tacky. Yeah, Mom's a bit of hypocrite.
Quote #6
"Try not to look down on those other children," Mom said. "It's not their fault that they've been brainwashed into believing silly myths." (2.9.3)
This is Mom's reasoning for not telling her children about Santa Claus. Does she have a point here? There is something a little weird about telling your kids there's some old dude who'll bring you whatever you want from Toys 'R' Us once a year, after all.