How we cite our quotes: (Page number)
Quote #1
"You want to know the secret to your brother?" He puts his hand on top of mine.
"What's the secret?"
"He doesn't like himself very much." (311-312)
Since Daniel’s brother, Charlie, ultimately changes his last name to the Americanized Charles Bay and becomes a sleazy politician who doesn’t talk to his family, Natasha’s definitely on the mark here.
Quote #2
In the end, she chose both. Korean and American. American and Korean. So they would know where they were from. So they would know where they were going. (16)
This quote shows how much care Min Soo put into choosing her son’s names. By giving them names from both cultures, she keeps them close to their cultural roots while acknowledging that their American experience will be different from her own.
Quote #3
"Was just talk, Tasha, man. Me really didn't mean nothing by it." But of course he did. He meant it and he didn't. Both. At the same time.
"It doesn't matter if you meant it or not. This is the life you're living. It's not temporary and it's not pretend and there's no do-over." (327)
Samuel always pictured himself as a big Broadway star, but in reality, he’s an unemployed actor who can’t get a gig and is constantly letting his wife and children down. This exchange between him and Natasha is a giant wake-up call that he needs to come to terms with his identity, even if it’s not the one he wanted.