This word college is in my house, and you have to walk around it in the rooms like furniture.”
-- Verna (chapter 4)

Importance: Verna is an internally motivated teenager, but this quote highlights the impact that her mother has had on her life and her plans for the future. Verna is excited by the prospect of college, but she also feels the word itself to be a huge weight. She wants to make her mother proud above everything else.

You say that? Reality is I got baby puke on my sweater and shoes and they tell me they'll cut off the electricity and my kids would have to take a bath in cold water. Under rent ain't paid like usual. Reality is my babies only got one thing in the whole world and that's me and that's the reality.”
-- Jolly (chapter 7)

Importance: Jolly is highly sensitive to the perceptions of others around her who might believe her...