What I Saw and How I Lied Prejudice Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"They're leaving in the morning. Peter, you don't understand," I said. "The manager. He enjoyed it." (20.23)

It's not just the fact that the manager had a policy against Jewish people—this is common behavior around Palm Beach—but he also doesn't act apologetic or embarrassed at all when he kicks them out. Instead he takes pleasure in turning someone away because of their heritage. It's super wrong and unsavory.

Quote #8

"I don't understand any of it," I said. "Why they won't let you stay. Why any of this can happen. I mean, we just fought a whole war."

"It wasn't about the Jews, kiddo," Arlene said softly. (21.33-34)

When Evie goes to talk to Arlene Grayson before they leave the hotel, Mrs. Grayson helps her to see that the war wasn't about making things fair for Jewish people. It was about governmental interests, so even after the war has been fought, people are going to keep their bigoted ways.

Quote #9

"They'll have sandwiches there, I heard," I said, trying to be helpful.

She gave me a nasty look. Later I found out that crackers meant poor Southerners, not Uneeda Biscuits. (24.6-7)

Geez. Even when a hurricane is threatening their lives, people can't take a moment to accept each other and stop judging. Evie's fellow hotel guests are a pretty judgmental and negative lot.