How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"They call themselves the Ku Klux Klan and they hate pretty much everyone who isn't like them. If you have the wrong color, religion, or birthplace, they don't like you. Around here it's mostly foreigners they hate." (9.32)
When he and Jinx stumble across a KKK rally, Ned explains who the people in the white hoods and robes are. Want to know more about the KKK and their nasty ways? History.com has plenty to tell you.
Quote #2
I'd heard of really bad things Klan folks did to Negroes. Mean, hateful, deadly things. I didn't know they were hateful toward white folks too. (12.19)
Devlin and Burton don't feel the need to hide their identities at the Klan rally. What does that tell you about them? Are they worse than the hooded Klan members, or is hate hate and that's that?
Quote #3
Every German or Austrian in the United States, unless known by years of association to be absolutely loyal, should be treated as a potential spy. (13.20)
Get this: this passage was an actual warning from the U.S. government back in the day. Imagine how today's society would react to an announcement like this. Yowza.
Quote #4
"It's pretty clear that your mother cares about where a person is from," Ned said. (16.25)
Is Mrs. Larkin prejudiced? What exactly is she prejudiced against?
Quote #5
The unfortunate explosion of firewords in the water tower—and subsequent dousing of the president and the newly signed victory quilt—was a somewhat surprising turn of events. While shock among the onlookers was widespread, the range of glee and dismay was split mostly among party lines. Although, it seemed the ruffling of feathers at the president's "pond jumpers" comment (referring to our foreign-born citizens who crossed the ocean) permeated throughout. (16.124)
That's right: even the president of the U.S. is prejudiced. He had just been soaked by the exploding water tower, sure, but that's no excuse.
Quote #6
The men in their white hooded robes were nowhere to be found, but there in front of the small building stood a large cross set ablaze. (19.75)
The Manifest KKK was out to scare the German townspeople. What's the purpose of burning crosses in front of people's homes or businesses? Is this an intimidation tactic or a threat?
Quote #7
It is unclear if the motive was the Germans' nationality or their attempt to organize at the mine. (19.76)
So everyone knows that the mine bosses were involved in the cross burning. And yet, no one says anything to them. Why not?
Quote #8
As she goes farther west into America, she draws attention. People frown at her thick accent. They raise their eyebrows at her dark skin. (41.14)
Poor Miss Sadie. Why does it get worse the farther west she goes? If you do a little research into the U.S. in 1918, you might get your answer.
Quote #9
But they do not understand. She is shunned and called a Gypsy and a fortune-teller. She asks about a boy and they hold their children behind them. (41.14)
In spite of the discrimination, Miss Sadie keeps searching. That tells you a lot about her—and about the people she meets.
Quote #10
If she reveals herself as his mother, she will bring shame on him. They will shun him the way she has been shunned. (41.16)
Miss Sadie's decision could be considered the ultimate in motherly love… or is it just cowardice? Did she make the right decision to keep to herself, or should she have revealed herself to Ned?