How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Still, Bandit dared not ask. How many times had she been told that no proper member of an upright Confucian family ever questioned the conduct of elders? Or that children must wait until invited to speak? Countless times. Only the aged were considered wise. Even the opinion of her father, the youngest son of the Patriarch, did not matter. No wonder he had gone away to seek his fortune. (1.4)
The tradition of Chinese families hangs over Shirley's head big-time. The old folks have the biggest cred in her culture, especially her grandma, and young folks don't get to say anything. This is just one Chinese cultural tradition that forms the basis for Shirley's behavior as she leaves China and evolves as she goes to America.
Quote #5
Grandmother was the matriarch of the House of Wong. What she ordered was always done. What she said was always so. (1.38)
Grandma is the number one person in the House of Wong, so you'd best not disrespect her. Shirley has to obey her and is afraid of her punishments; she's the pillar of her community. When Shirley leaves for America, she doesn't have that same center of what to do and what not do to—without Grandmother, she has to create it for herself.
Quote #6
Later Shirley wrote a letter to Fourth Cousin and boasted of how she had triumphed on her very first day in Brooklyn. Naturally, she did not mention the little mishap. Why worry the clan unnecessarily? She would never be lost again. (2.135)
Liar, liar, pants on fire. Shirley fibs to her cousin, leaving out the fact that she got lost trying to run an errand for her dad. Fourth Cousin is her best friend, so she wants to impress her and also not to worry anyone. Because the Wong family is all together, presumably Fourth Cousin is going to share the news with everyone, so Shirley's being considerate of her family and bragging all at once.