How we cite our quotes: (Section.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Does your mom like volcanoes?" asked Ms. Silver. "I know you like volcanoes."
"Well…" said Billy. "She might." He blinked rapidly.
"I have an idea," said Ms. Silver. "I think you should take your journal home tonight. You should ask your mom what she likes. You could make a list of things." (4.2.30-32)
When it comes to identity, it's not just about figuring out our own sense of self. It's also about learning what makes other people's identities unique. And for Billy, that means realizing that while he might love volcanoes like nobody's business, his mom just might like something else (she does). And poetry might be just the ticket for learning about how his mom's identity is actually interesting as all get-out.
Quote #8
He read his poem into the microphone from beginning to end in a voice that was made so big and loud and wide it seemed to bounce beyond the walls of school, reaching to the world outside, to the moon. […]
The next thing he knew he was in the hallway behind the stage, enveloped in Mama's arms. On the stage, it was as if he'd been separated from his body, and now he'd caught up with himself. Everything was back to normal. (4.5.48, 50)
For Billy, being on stage is a totally trippy experience. In fact, he doesn't really feel like himself when he's up there, since it's like he's "separated from his body." Do you think this is a negative depiction or a positive one? Is it a problem for Billy that he feels funky on stage? Or does that turn out to be a good experience in the long run?
Quote #9
"Our school year overlapped with the Chinese Year of the Rabbit and the Year of the Dragon. But I like to think of this as the Year of Room Two." (4.5.67)
Identities aren't always just about individuals, and being part of a group can be important when it comes to forming your identity. When Ms. Silver is making her final speech after the Room 2 end-of-year show, she knows that the whole year has been one big group effort. Sure, Billy might think of this year as the "year of Billy Miller," but Ms. S thinks it's about the whole stinking class.