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Chapter 10
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Piecing Me Together, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Intersectionality, Identity, and Discrimination
The Power of Language
Mentorship, Opportunity, and Dignity
Friendship
Summary
Analysis
The next morning, Jade and Mom discuss Maxine’s visit and Jade’s busy schedule for the week. Mom asks when she gets to meet Maxine—she’s very strict about who Jade hangs out with—and she asks for Maxine’s phone number. When Mom leaves for work, she lets the door slam. Jade then heads for the bus stop. A confused looking woman approaches, holding a boy’s hand. She mimes a question and Jade asks if she speaks Spanish. Jade gives the woman directions in Spanish to the correct bus stop and then she thinks of how proud Mr. Flores would be. He’s taught Jade and the other students lots of Spanish phrases to help them abroad, but Jade thinks that she’s figuring out how to use them right here.
Given that Jade is Mom’s “deferred dream” (Mom essentially sacrificed her young adulthood and college experience to raise Jade), it’s understandable that Mom might be a bit touchy about someone else stepping in to guide Jade. From a strictly practical point of view, Mom should want Jade to have all the help she can get so they can both achieve their dreams—but Maxine doesn’t seem like an ideal mentor at this point and so her influence on Jade is questionable.
Themes
