When You Reach Me Time Quotes Page 1
(Chapter.Paragraph)
| Quote #1 Mom has swiped a big paper calendar from work and Scotch-taped the month of April to the kitchen wall. She used a fat green marker, also swiped from work, to draw a pyramid on April 27, with dollar signs and exclamation points all around it. She went out and bought a fancy egg timer that can accurately measure a half minute. They don't have fancy egg timers in the supply closet at her office. (2.1) |
Let's face it: this novel is obsessed with time. In this paragraph alone we see Miranda's Mom using a calendar and an egg timer, both ways to measure time. She will be practicing for the speed round (37 seconds) in the game show $20,000 Pyramid. Through this repetition we see that time is highlighted as a really important idea.
| Quote #2 I have my own trick. If I'm afraid of someone on the street, I'll turn to him (it's always a boy) and say, "Excuse me, do you happen to know what time it is?" This is my way of saying to the person "I see you as a friend, and there is no need to hurt me or take my stuff. Also, I don't even have a watch and I am probably not worth mugging." (8.2) |
Miranda's street smarts include this handy tip about asking strangers for the time. Why is Miranda's strategy effective? Why is time especially important for Miranda's character?
| Quote #3 "Miranda?" Mom calls from the kitchen. "We need you to keep time. This egg-timer ticking is driving me crazy." |
In this scene Miranda is the timekeeper during her mom's practice session. What does this say about Miranda's relationship to time?
