How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
And maybe one day when you're all grown up maybe you will need to cry like if you're three, and that's okay. That's what I tell Mama when she's sad and needs to cry. Maybe she's feeling three. (2)
Family is a haven in "Eleven." At home, Rachel and her mother are free to share their feelings without fear of judgment or being shunned. As for school, well, you've been to school, right? Kids and teachers can both be pretty harsh.
Quote #2
Today I wish I was one hundred and two instead of eleven because if I was one hundred and two I'd have known what to say when Mrs. Price put the red sweater on my desk. (5)
You've heard the saying, 'might makes right,' right? Right. Well in the micro-society we call school, age makes right. Rachel wants to be older because that gives her the edge in a place where adults are always telling children what to do.
Quote #3
Maybe because I'm skinny, maybe because she doesn't like me, that stupid Sylvia Saldivar says, "I think it belongs to Rachel." An ugly sweater like that, all raggedy and old, but Mrs. Price believes her. (9)
Later in the story, we'll see how different family life and school life are for Rachel. We're not sure Sylvia said this to try and hurt Rachel; she might have genuinely thought it belonged to Rachel. Still, if it had been at home, it seems that Rachel's feelings would have factored into things a bit more.
Quote #4
"Of course it's yours," Mrs. Price says. "I remember you wearing it once." Because she's older and the teacher, she's right and I'm not. (11)
In any society, there is going to be that one thing that puts you ahead of the rest of the class. It could be money, it could be gender, and it could even be as simple as being born into the right family. As we mentioned earlier, at this school society, social elitism equates to age, and here it is at work.
Quote #5
Mama is making a cake for me for tonight, and when Papa comes home everybody will sing Happy birthday, happy birthday to you. (12)
The difference between society and family becomes pretty evident here. At home, the fact that its Rachel's birthday is a special event, but at school it's just another day for red sweaters and math problems. Math on your birthday? Come on!
Quote #6
But when the sick feeling goes away and I open my eyes, the red sweater's still sitting there like a big red mountain. I move the red sweater to the corner of my desk with my ruler. (13)
Since the authority figure put the sweater on Rachel's desk, she can't shake it off. Sure, she can move it as far away from her as possible, but since the teacher put it there, it can't be moved again.
Quote #7
"Rachel," Mrs. Price says. She says it like she's getting mad. "You put that sweater on right now and no more nonsense." "But it's not—" "Now!" Mrs. Price says. (15-17)
Unaware of Rachel's feelings, Mrs. Price pushes the issue and forces Rachel to wear her shame. Literally. This makes Mrs. Price a perfect foil for Rachel's parents, as well as a perfect candidate for Worst Teacher of the Year award.
Quote #8
That's when everything I've been holding in since this morning, since when Mrs. Price put the sweater on my desk, finally lets go, and all of a sudden I'm crying in front of everybody. I wish I was invisible but I'm not. (19)
Remember that earlier in the story, Rachel's mother was free to cry without fear of judgment. Away from the safety of family, Rachel is offered no such luxury, and she thinks the experience is super humiliating.
Quote #9
I take [the sweater] off right away and give it to [Phyllis], only Mrs. Price pretends like everything's okay. (20)
Although Rachel has been cleared of the alleged shame of owning the sweater, Mrs. Price won't admit she is any less wrong, and since she's the social elite, she doesn't really have to. No one's going to push the matter. Talk about unfair.
Quote #10
Today I'm eleven. There's a cake Mama's making for tonight, and when Papa comes home from work we'll eat it. There'll be candles and presents and everybody will sing Happy birthday, happy birthday to you, Rachel, only it's too late. (21)
The family may provide a safe haven for Rachel, but as she gets older and moves further and further into society, her family's ability to make up for society's coldness is going to dwindle. Not even a birthday celebration or killer cake can make up for it—at least, not in the moments that follow her breakdown.