How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Her. I'm gonna kick that ass at two forty-five." (3.60)
This is the event that drives the novel. When Trina gets too close to Dominique after Dominique's shut down by Coach, Dominique pronounces Trina's fate. And Trina has no idea. Consider exactly what the perceived slight is and why Dominique decides to direct her anger toward Trina.
Quote #2
A person with a temper is set off by anything. But I don't have a temper. I'm not what they say. What they write. I'm not a problem child.
I just care about my stuff. Take a shot at me or to me and I block it. It's reflex. Instinct. Natural. I just don't back down. And it—BOOM!—happens quick. That's different from having a temper. (6.14-15)
How does Dominique define temper? And how are her words here ("block it," "natural," "BOOM") at odds with what she's saying? Do you agree with her or not, that she has a temper?
Quote #3
I have to fight grown men just to be picked to play. They be knocking me down just to make me sit down. Ride the bench. Know my place. So this team is all the shot I get. I'm done once I'm out. So this can't come down to five points in science. This isn't a "Do better next time, Dominique." This is "Fix it now." (15.17)
Even though we never really get to know Dominique's background, we can learn a lot about her from this snapshot. She's got grit enough to go up against the men of her neighborhood, and she knows that she'll likely not go on to any sort of higher education after high school. She's used to fighting, physically and psychologically, for her place in the world, so it makes sense that this is her first instinct.
Quote #4
When Nunke sets it straight up, as it falls a little to the right, I'll charge the net, haul back, and kablam. A hammer slam. My hand's throbbing, from the back of the line. Throbbing. I'm tasting the smack of the ball. The white, soft, hard leather. That feels good against your hand, yo. That sting is so good, your skin turns white, and then the blood comes back. It hurts, but that hard, hard slap is good. (18.10)
Dominique is equating pain with feeling good. And though there's a purity in the simplicity of the physical nature of sports, there's also an edge to it. Why might she think physical hurt is a good thing? Tie this to her feelings of visibility and invisibility.
Quote #5
The Boosters are singing that cheer. That "You going down" cheer. Viv starts singing along with them: "You're going down—with a big crush." And Shayne pipes in "At two forty-five, going down." And it's all to the beat. (21.12)
In the lunchroom, Dominique reiterates her vow to beat Trina, and instead of questioning her decision, her friends egg her on. Viv and Shayne may be followers, but that doesn't make them innocent in the whole equation of Trina getting beaten.
Quote #6
Even worse, not only is Trina flunking rules and history, she doesn't have any people. If everyone knows your brothers, sisters, cousins, and the people you're cool with, you have protection. An invisible ring of your people and their people around you. (22.8)
As Leticia realizes that Dominique is going to jump Trina in the lunchroom, she thinks that Trina has no protection against the attack. Leticia's thoughts about the necessity of protection imply that violent behavior is totally normal.
Quote #7
It's in everyone's eyes. Eager, like how you feel standing outside a party where they're playing the hot dance jam and you can't wait to get inside. Rocking hot excitement. Lotta bright eyes, lotta yeas and unh-hms. (24.1)
Throughout the day, word of the fight spreads and the student body reacts. Check out the words Leticia uses to describe them: "eager," "excitement," and "bright eyes." This is not a place violence is condemned. The students clearly see violent behavior as entertainment.
Quote #8
"OhmyGod, that girl is bleeding and Dominique won't let up. She's messing her up, saying—"
"You see me, b****?"
"You see me, b****?"
"You see my face now, b****?" (33.10-13)
Throughout the day, we see Dominique come back again and again to this idea that she's invisible. Why is it important for Dominique to be visible, for people to see her, and for people to see her? If, throughout the day, Dominique had been seen either physically or emotionally witnessed by friends or teachers, would she have reacted as violently as she did?
Quote #9
"Yeah, nurse, I know. I'm going. Oh. Check it out. This is what she really looks like." (34.13)
When Ivan visits Trina in the hospital, she's all under bandages, hooked up to machines, and in a coma; she has to have reconstructive surgeries. And it all started with a relatively insignificant brush in the hallway. What elements escalated the events of the day to Dominique's violent attack?
Quote #10
And to think, I was there when it all went down. I could have been on that news program. I knew all about it from start to finish. (35.18)
Leticia has just seen a news story about Dominique and Trina on television. While violence has altered Trina's life forever and landed Dominique behind bars, Leticia seems to go on as she always has: self-absorbed and completely unwilling to think critically about her actions or responsibility.