How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
We bought so much food that we never had much money come pay-day. (2.13.12)
As a child, Jeannette equates money with food. When the family has money, they can eat, and this is a rare time of prosperity for the family.
Quote #2
Once we lost our credit at the commissary, we quickly ran out of food. (2.17.9)
Jeannette's parents don't seem to realize that they need to buy food to survive. They don't care if they're poor and the children can't eat. They can always scavenge, right?
Quote #3
I wondered if he didn't really want to be around us unless he could provide for us. (2.17.11)
Dad's ego is a fragile thing, and it's bolstered by how much money is able to earn for the family. When the family is broke, Dad's ego is broken, too. Not that he ever really manages to do much about it.