How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Because the students were needed in the fields from early spring when the cotton was planted until after most of the cotton had been picked in the fall, the school adjusted its terms accordingly, beginning in October and dismissing in March. But even so, after today a number of the older students would not be seen again for a month or two, not until the last puff of cotton had been gleaned from the fields, and eventually most would drop out of school altogether. (1.91)
The schools here are definitely separate and unequal. Remember that this was before the whole Brown v. the Board of Education, which overturned Plessy v. Ferguson (which allowed for separate but equal—supposedly—schooling).
Quote #2
"And to all our little first grade friends only today starting on the road to knowledge and education, may your tiny feet find the pathways of learning steady and forever before you." (1.103)
What is Miss Crocker's tone here? Do you think she is honestly concerned for the children's education? What do we know about her that might complicate this view?
Quote #3
"See, Miz Crocker, see what it says? They give us these ole books when they didn't want 'em no more." (1.143)
Cassie sees the degrading language in the schoolbook, and realizes that their school (the black school) only gets these "new" textbooks when they are totally unsuitable for the white children's school. Talk about humiliating.
Quote #4
"In the first place no one cares enough to come down here, and in the second place if anyone should come, maybe he could see all the things we need—current books for all of our subjects, not just somebody's old throwaways, desks, paper, blackboards, erasers, maps, chalk. . ." (1.169)
No matter how poorly funded your school is, it's probably not nearly as bad off as Great Faith Elementary and Secondary school.
Quote #5
"One day you'll have a plenty of clothes and maybe even a car of yo' own to ride 'round in, so don't you pay no mind to them ignorant white folks. You jus' keep on studyin' and get yo'self a good education and you'll be all right." (3.12)
Don't be a fool—stay in school! Big Mama gives basically this pep talk to Little Man when he gets frustrated at being doused in mud every day on the walk to school. Education was seen as a way out of poverty, and could provide some upward mobility (like Mama and the school principal). Plus, maybe having a car like Uncle Hammer isn't a bad perk.
Quote #6
In addition to the books there was a sockful of once-a-year store-bought licorice, oranges, and bananas for each of us and from Uncle Hammer a dress and a sweater for me, and a sweater and a pair of pants each for Christopher-John and Little Man. But nothing compared to the books [...] Little Man [...] throughout the day [...] lay upon the deerskin rug looking at the bright, shining pictures of faraway places, turning each page as if it were gold [...]' (7.74)
Sweaters, schmweaters. We here at Shmoop are totally on board with Cassie's attitude toward getting books as gifts. The books the children receive are more valuable than the sweets and the clothing (which they really need). Check out the word choice here: "bright," "shining," "gold." These books are treasured by the children.
Quote #7
"You sure giving folks something to talk 'bout with that car of yours, Hammer," Mr. Granger said in his folksy dialect as he sat down with a grunt across from Papa. In spite of his college education he always spoke this way. (7.164)
What's the effect of the contrast between Mr. Granger's "folksy" way of talking and his college degree? Why do you think Taylor points this out? What insight does it give us on his personality? Is there a negative connotation to this?
Quote #8
"Son, your mama ...she's born to teaching like the sun is born to shine. And it's gonna be hard on her not teaching anymore. It's gonna be real hard 'cause ever since she was a wee bitty girl down in the Delta she wanted to be a teacher." (8.132)
Teaching is a natural part of Mrs. Logan's character, just like the "sun is born to shine." There's a downside to this imagery, though. Since she can't teach anymore, her world is about to turn dark (figuratively speaking), since this job is her calling.
Quote #9
"But he'd [Mama's dad] promised your grandmama 'fore she died to see that your mama got an education, and when your mama 'come high school age, he sent her up to Jackson to school, then on to teacher training school." (8.134)
If you're wondering what "teacher training school" was, check out this link. We don't really use that term anymore; we just call it "going to college to get an education degree." You'll get a nice run-down of the training Mama received back in the Depression era, and how it might be different from how teachers are educated now.
Quote #10
But although every living thing knew it was spring, Miss Crocker and the other teachers evidently did not, for school lingered on indefinitely. In the last week of March when Papa and Mr. Morrison began to plow the east field, I volunteered to sacrifice school and help them. My offer was refused and I trudged wearily to school for another week. (9.2).
We've already seen that fieldwork interferes with the black children's educations (their school year is cut short). Many of the kids not much older than Cassie end up dropping out of school altogether (1.90). But the Logan family places such value on education that they aren't willing to let Cassie sacrifice hers—even though she'd probably be a big help at home.