How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #7
Her gray wiry hair hung over the mattress. Since I could remember, she'd kept her long hair in braids. (6)
The grandmother's hair is not done up into braids; instead it's "wiry" and hanging. The fact that the grandmother is letting herself go this way lets us know that she isn't feeling so hot. Her appearance used to be important to her, since she was always kempt, so this is more than just a bad hair day; it indicates that death is on the way.
Quote #8
So I would wash my feet and stuff them into my black Easter shoes that shone with Vaseline, grab a missal and veil, and wave good-bye to Amá. (8)
When the narrator obeys her father's orders to get to church, she has to force her body into church-going mode. Her appearance changes with her activities; she has to "stuff" her feet into her shoes. She's always too big (remember those bull hands comments?) and her family's expectations for her make her struggle to fit in.
Quote #9
I liked her porch because it was shielded by the vines of the chayotes and I could get a good look at the people and car traffic on Evergreen without them knowing. (9)
Appearance is important in this short story, but so is disappearance. The narrator is always under scrutiny, taking near constant criticism for her appearance, so it's nice for her to just hide out on her grandma's porch, seeing without being seen. It's a way to escape the world's judgment for a while.