How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
On clear days you could spot the school's tower barely peeping out from under the toxic cloud that hung constantly over our high-priced (if you didn't count our block) and rich (if you didn't count our family) but severely polluted suburb. (1.5)
From the very beginning, we understand that Bart's family isn't exactly well off compared to almost everyone else in town. Bart makes sure of it.
Quote #2
As always, there were a few awkward moments when my friends and I talked about what we'd done on vacation, and I remembered that their families were richer than mine. (1.21)
Bart began noticing class disparities long before he attended Baileywell. But are his friends as troubled by these differences as he is?
Quote #3
She'd tell Dad that if only I went to some place like Baileywell, if only we could afford to send me there, I'd be interested in school, engaged (her word). (2.53)
Interestingly, when Bart finally attends Baileywell, he doesn't find it academically challenging. Huh.
Quote #4
All the teachers and administrators at my old middle school drove crappy little Toyotas or (if they had families) minivans, mostly because that was what they could afford […]. (3.1)
When Bart sees Dr. Bratton, the head of Baileywell, get out of his Yukon, he knows they're not in Kansas anymore.
Quote #5
Something about Dr. Bratton made it seem as if he was a messenger bringing news from a shinier, more luxurious world. (3.1)
Something… something… what could it be? Oh yeah, it's probably that Yukon.
Quote #6
Meanwhile, I kept thinking that everything anyone read made my richest friends at Hillbrook sound like poor people! (4.86)
In Bart's first class at his new school, the kids describe their Donald Trump-level vacations, which include an African safari and sailing on a yacht. Welcome to Baileywell, kid.
Quote #7
With all the tuition money their parents were paying, you'd think they could have had two measly little burgers. You'd think they could have twenty! (4.114)
Cafeteria food is cafeteria food, even at a fancy place like Baileywell. No one wants to eat twenty gross burgers.
Quote #8
"His dad gives a fortune to the school. He owns some kind of bank or something." (4.158)
Tyro never gets into trouble because his dad donates a lot of money to the school. Note that Bart, who goes to Baileywell for free, gets into plenty of trouble.
Quote #9
Bullywell Christmas break was about twice as long as the public school's, I guess so all the Bullywell families could jet off to their magnificent ski lodges in Switzerland and Aspen. (8.2)
Bart often sounds resentful when he speaks of his classmates' fancy vacations. Then again, who wouldn't be?
Quote #10
What about the Escalade? And then it hit me: The Bergens were so rich they could afford to let it go, to be generous, to pay for the bodywork and move on. (9.37)
Do you think Bart feels relieved when he realizes the Bergens will pay for the Escalade? Or does it bother him that his "attack" has no real lasting impact?