How we cite our quotes: (Page number)
Quote #1
"You want to know the secret to your brother?" He puts his hand on top of mine.
"What's the secret?"
"He doesn't like himself very much." (311-312)
Since Daniel’s brother, Charlie, ultimately changes his last name to the Americanized Charles Bay and becomes a sleazy politician who doesn’t talk to his family, Natasha’s definitely on the mark here.
Quote #2
In the end, she chose both. Korean and American. American and Korean. So they would know where they were from. So they would know where they were going. (16)
This quote shows how much care Min Soo put into choosing her son’s names. By giving them names from both cultures, she keeps them close to their cultural roots while acknowledging that their American experience will be different from her own.
Quote #3
"Was just talk, Tasha, man. Me really didn't mean nothing by it." But of course he did. He meant it and he didn't. Both. At the same time.
"It doesn't matter if you meant it or not. This is the life you're living. It's not temporary and it's not pretend and there's no do-over." (327)
Samuel always pictured himself as a big Broadway star, but in reality, he’s an unemployed actor who can’t get a gig and is constantly letting his wife and children down. This exchange between him and Natasha is a giant wake-up call that he needs to come to terms with his identity, even if it’s not the one he wanted.
Quote #4
"You know why they're staring, right?"
"It's either because I'm not black or because you're not Korean." His face is shadowed, but I can hear the smile in his voice.
"I'm serious," I say, frustrated. "Doesn't it bother you?" I'm not sure why I'm pursuing this. Maybe I want proof that if we had the chance to continue, we would survive the weight of the stares. (317-318)
Natasha and Daniel both believe their families would probably prefer for them to date people who share their cultural backgrounds so they’d understand each other more easily. However, love is blind, as they say—not “Natasha and Daniel” they, but the abstract they in charge of quaint advice. Plus, if this is how close they can get in a single day, we have a feeling that their interracial relationship would definitely survive judgy observers.
Quote #5
“Who cares what you want? The only thing that matters is what is good for you. Your mother and I only care about what is good for you. You go to school, you become a doctor, you be successful. Then you never have to work in a store like this. Then you have money and respect, and all the things you want will come. You find a nice girl and have children and you have the American Dream. Why would you throw your future away for temporary things that you only want right now?” (235)
Here’s a perfect snapshot of Dae Hyun’s outlook on life. While escaping poverty and becoming wealthy and respected was his American Dream, he’s never stopped to consider whether Daniel (or Charlie) might have a different perspective.
Quote #6
I'll be a great doctor with excellent bedside skills. I'll be perfectly happy. But something about Natasha makes me think my life could be extraordinary. (71)
Daniel’s not thrilled about his parents’ plan for his future, but since he doesn’t really know what he wants to do, he’s all set to go along with it and make them happy. Thankfully—or unfortunately, depending on your perspective—he meets Natasha just in time, and their single day together changes his life forever.
Quote #7
"Don't tell me I'll be alright. I don't know that place. I've been here since I was eight years old. I don't know anyone in Jamaica. I don't have an accent. I don't know my family there, not the way you're supposed to know family. It's my senior year. What about prom and graduation and my friends?" (22)
Natasha’s wrestling with the impending loss of her identity, so she’s not exactly in the mood for Lester Barnes’ jokes about everything in Jamaica being irie. High school is already drama-filled enough without being deported before graduation.
Quote #8
"You and your Korean food and your Korean friends and studying Korean in school. It's pathetic. Don't you get it, Little Brother? You're just like everybody else."
Wait. What?
"You hate me because I have Korean friends?" "Korean is all you are," he spits out. "We're not even from the goddamn country."
And I get it. I really do. Some days it's hard to be in America. Some days I feel like I'm halfway to the moon, trapped between the Earth and it. (221)
Apparently, Daniel’s embrace of their Korean identity is the reason Charlie’s such a jerk to him. He appears to be a jerk to everyone else too, so we’re not 100% convinced that he’d be nicer to Daniel if he stopped eating soon dubu.