Jacob Have I Loved Appearances Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

When I put on my Sunday dress, which I hadn't worn for almost two years, it strained across my breasts and shoulders. I could hardly bring myself to look in the mirror, first at my brown face and then at my sun-scorched hair. I dampened it with water and tried to coax it into a few waves about my forehead. I slopped hand lotion all over my hands and then on my face and legs, even my arms and elbows. It had a cheap fragrance, which I tried to fool myself would cover the essence of crab.

I nearly stumbled on the stairs. All three of them looked up. My mother smiled and would have spoken—her mouth was pursed with some encouraging comment—but I glared her into silence.

Call stood up. "Now," he said. "That is an improvement." It was not the encouragement needed at that moment. (16.60-62)

Louise is really fooling herself if she thinks she can change her appearance in a few minutes. She's spent years moping about and that can't be erased in a day. Besides, she doesn't know it yet, but it's her heart that really needs the makeover, not her hair or hands.