How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Toscanini was not impressed. On and on he squawked while she poked at the keys. On and on until her fingers acquired a will of their own. On and on until the notes blended into a melody, a melody so compelling that Shirley and the Señora began to sway from side to side and sing along. (4.53)
Perhaps for the first time, Shirley is on the same communication wavelength with someone in America. This time, she's done so through the language of music. After a trial and error process, she figures out how to play the correct notes that the Señora and her bird require, and Shirley and the Señora begin to vibe together. They're in harmony, literally, and Shirley understands what she has to do.
Quote #5
Mabel's team won. The score was 10 to 2, ad though the Chinese rookie never got on base again or caught even one ball, Shirley was confident that the next time… next time, she could. And yes, of course, naturally, stickball was now her favorite game. (5.105)
Thanks to ex-bully Mabel, Shirley gets invited to play stickball. And even though she doesn't know what statements like "Go home" mean in the context of the sport, she understands the basic gestures others are encouraging her to do. Thanks to Shirley, the team scores a run and Shirley feels accepted. The universal language of sports has helped her make friends and feel connected.
Quote #6
"I pledge a lesson to the frog of the United States of America, and to the wee puppet for witches' hands. One Asian, in the vestibule, with little tea and just rice for all." (5.5)
Shirley botches the Pledge of Allegiance, but no one makes fun of her. She says it in unison with everyone else, so Shirley's become one of the group, which is also clear when the chapter opens with a description of Shirley in the midst of her classmates. She at least has some English words down, even if she doesn't realize what she's saying, and is repeating the ritualized act her friends are doing.