A symbol from the novel and explain the symbolism.

The yellow button Miss Meeks pins to Zinkoff's shirt is a symbol of his lack of shame and inability to conform to social norms. During Zinkoff's episode of uncontrollable laughter, Miss Meeks disciplines her student by pinning a yellow button to his shirt that reads "I know I can behave." The button is meant to shame Zinkoff into obedience by reminding him of his misbehavior. However, Zinkoff's lack of shame leads him to value the button. Spinelli writes that Miss Meeks “realizes at last that for Zinkoff the button is not a punishment at all, but a badge of honor. From then on she punishes him by keeping the button in the drawer.”