How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Because of this young-lady business, instead of days spent in perfect harmony with my mother, I trailing in her footsteps, she showering down on me her kisses and affection and attention, I was now sent off to learn one thing and another. (2.16)
Part of the transformation requires Annie to learn new things. She realizes that there are societal expectations that go along with her new body.
Quote #5
My so recently much-hated body was now a plus: I excelled at games and was named captain of a volleyball team. (3.20)
Eventually, Annie finds a redeeming quality to her body. Now she is a great athlete and feels stronger and more empowered at school.
Quote #6
On our minds every day were our breasts and their refusal to budge out of our chests. On hearing somewhere that if a boy rubbed your breasts they would quickly swell up, I passed along this news. Since in the world we occupied and hoped forever to occupy boys were banished, we had to make do with ourselves. What perfection we found in each other, sitting on these tombstones of longdead people who had been the masters of our ancestors! (3.21)
Along with the whole "Eek, what's happening to my body?" aspect of puberty comes the "C'mon, body—be finished growing already." This impatience leads to exploration. Check out the nifty juxtaposition of girls trying to egg on puberty amid a graveyard full of dead people.