"A story matrix connects us all. There are rules, processes, and circles of responsibility in this world. And the story begins exactly where it was suppose to begin. We cannot skip any part."
This quote by Joy Harjo shows her outlook on her childhood looking back at it and recalling past memories with her abusive stepfather. It represents her strong fortitude and personality of doing the best with what you have, and finding something that you are truly passionate about. Furthermore this quote refers how many times in her past she wanted to just "skip" or "forget" parts of her past but in the end she could not because of how it had lead her to find her love for poetry and visual arts. This quote by Joy Harjo empowers those who have been, and still are oppressed and guides to them on how to find enjoyment and pleasure in life even when dealt the roughest of hands. This quote is the core message of this book and the representation the author has found from her experiences in her past. It shows that not everything can be controlled but we should rather focus on what we can.
"I understood why women went back to their abusers. The monster wasn't your real husband, he was a bad dream - an alien of sorts - who took over the spirit of your loved one. He entered and left your husband. It was your real love you welcomed back in.
This quote by Joy Harjo is a reflection of her childhood and how she viewed the relationship between her mother and her step-father. The "monster" or "alien" that the step-father is referred how Joy viewed him when he started to drink without control and become overly drunk. This quote shows how much Joy values love, belonging and family, regardless of what may have happened in the past. This quote is a representation and direct prove of how Joy Harjo matures and changes her outlook on family and love from her teenage years.
"You're coming with me, poor thing. You don't know how to listen. You don't know how to speak. You don't know how to sing. I will teach you. I followed poetry"
This quote is a representation of how poetry was calling Joy Harjo away in a tempting manner from her unstable household and her abusive relationship with her father. This quote also shows the very little self-esteem the author had during her teenage years from the pitying and insulting manner she envisioned the art of poetry speaking to her. Her representation of the art of poetry also shows what the art meant to her during her first encounter with it.
