Quote Bank (Junior Cert English): Revision Notes

Quote Bank

Quote	Explanation
'The wheels on the suitcase break / Before we've even left Gdańsk Główny.'	Symbolises the difficulties and challenges right from the start.
'Immigrants don't arrive on / Overcrowded boats any more,'	Reflects the modern immigrant experience.
'Mama rented a room / In Coventry.'	Shows their temporary and unstable living situation.
'Mama knocks them on some steps and / Bang, crack, rattle – / No more use.'	Highlights the struggles and broken dreams.
'I am twelve. / Almost thirteen.'	Kasienka's age and her sense of being out of place.
'She's shy about the laundry bag,'	Shows Mama's embarrassment and pride.
'Google might know where / Tata is.'	Represents their reliance on technology and hope.
'There are nasty people in our building.'	Reflects the unsafe and unfriendly environment.
'Mama's long vowels scare / The older patients.'	Shows the cultural and linguistic barriers.
'I want to get out of bed to tighten the tap, / stop the dripping – the rapping-tapping.'	Symbolises Kasienka's desire to fix problems.
'Mama is wasting money / We don't have.'	Shows the financial strain and desperation.
'They have come up with a / Civil way for saying we are slow,'	Reflects the patronising attitudes towards immigrants.
'We went on a school trip to Warwick Castle / But I couldn't believe in that place –'	Represents Kasienka's struggle to fit in.
'Love is watching / Love is waiting / Love is wanting'	Expresses Kasienka's feelings of love and longing.
'Tata's whistle I recognise, / But I don't recognise Tata.'	Highlights the changes in her father and their relationship.
'Blame / My stomach tightens into a rock / Because I am so angry with Tata.'	Shows Kasienka's bottled-up anger.
'Kissing William is like / having a Haribo'	Kasienka's first experiences with love and affection.
'Happiness should be your revenge, Kasienka. / Happiness.'	Kanoro's advice to overcome bitterness and seek happiness.
'I wish Tata were dead'	Shows Kasienka's pain and how she feels abandoned.
'The hot chocolate is untouched / And Cold / In the cup.'	Symbolises the lack of warmth and connection with her father.