“I stayed indoors most of the time, which kept my skin very white. And my hair was as black as Ilana's. I wore black clothes all the time, just as she did.When I was in elementary school the other girls had called me a witch, scratched me with their nails, giggled behind their notebooks. But now I was in high school and suddenly everyone wore black and had pale skin and cultivated a disheveled haunted look.Now I blended in.”
Quote Analysis
In this quote from Judy Budnitz's novel, the narrator reflects on her experiences as a young girl being ostracized for her appearance. She describes how she used to be singled out for looking different, with her white skin and black hair, and how she was bullied by the other girls for it. However, as she grows older and enters high school, she realizes that her appearance is no longer seen as unusual; in fact, it has become trendy. By adopting the same style as her peers - wearing black clothes and cultivating a "haunted look" - she is able to blend in with the crowd. This passage highlights the shifting nature of social norms and the power of conformity in shaping individual identity.
Modern Relevance
In today's society, the concept of embracing alternative styles and individuality has become more accepted and even trendy. The quote from Judy Budnitz's work highlights the idea of standing out and being ostracized for being different, only to later be accepted and even admired for the same qualities. This shift in perception reflects the current cultural embrace of uniqueness and diversity.
Example of Usage
In this passage from Judy Budnitz's novel, the protagonist reflects on her unique appearance and how it has changed over time. She discusses how her style of dressing and beauty choices made her stand out as a child, but now that she is in high school, she finds herself fitting in with the popular trend of wearing black and having pale skin.
Reflection Questions
After reading this passage from Judy Budnitz's work, take a moment to reflect on the following questions:
- How did the protagonist's experiences in elementary school shape her sense of identity and belonging?
- What does the protagonist's decision to wear black clothes and embrace her white skin say about her desire to fit in?
- How do societal norms and trends influence our own sense of self and how we present ourselves to others?
- In what ways do we adapt or change ourselves in order to feel accepted by those around us?
- Have you ever felt pressured to conform to a certain style or image in order to fit in? How did that make you feel about yourself?
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“Once upon a time they was two girls," I say. "one girl had black skin, one girl had white."Mae Mobley look up at me. She listening."Little colored girl say to little white girl, 'How come your skin be so pale?' White girl say, 'I don't know. How come your skin be so black? What you think that mean?'"But neither one a them little girls knew. So little white girl say, 'Well, let's see. You got hair, I got hair.'"I gives Mae Mobley a little tousle on her head."Little colored girl say 'I got a nose, you got a nose.'"I gives her little snout a tweak. She got to reach up and do the same to me."Little white girl say, 'I got toes, you got toes.' And I do the little thing with her toes, but she can't get to mine cause I got my white work shoes on."'So we's the same. Just a different color', say that little colored girl. The little white girl she agreed and they was friends. The End."Baby Girl just look at me. Law, that was a sorry story if I ever heard one. Wasn't even no plot to it. But Mae Mobley, she smile and say, "Tell it again.”
“She wore leopard-skin leggings, a tight black turtleneck sweater and sparkly red heels. I don't make this stuff up.”