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Quote by Chang-Rae Lee

Work

Native Speaker

In this thought-provoking novel, the protagonist navigates the challenges of being a non-native English speaker in a country where language is a powerful tool for social and cultural integration. more

Author

Chang-Rae Lee
Chang-Rae Lee

Chang-Rae Lee, born on July 29, 1965, is a renowned American novelist. His works focus on American society and culture, particularly exploring themes of race, identity, and class. Lee's unique writing style has won him a wide audience. more

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“Leave before Sethe could make her realize that worse than that - far worse - was what Baby Suggs died of, what Ella knew, what Stamp saw and what made Paul D tremble. That anybody white could take your whole self for anything that came to mind. Not just work, kill, or maim you, but dirty you. Dirty you so bad you forgot who you were and couldn't think it up. And though she and others lived through and got over it, she could never let it happen to her own. The best thing she was, was her children. Whites might dirty her all right, but not her best thing, her beautiful, magical best thing - the part of her that was clean.”

“Another practice that has given healthy pride a bad name is excessive praise for the smallest childhood success, from earning tokens in the classroom to the trophy glut at Little League. Many adults are turned off by this overpraise, sensing that the children are being done no favor. In fact, research has shown that many children overpraised for success end up becoming more cautious and less motivated than the kids who were praised only for their amount of effort, successful or not.”