Characters
She did not win an Art Scholarship because she was African American.
Nancy Lee
"I shoved (it) to the tippy-tip corner of my desk and it's hanging all over the edge like a waterfall."
Red Sweater (Eleven)
The conflict that prevents Nancy Lee from winning a scholarship
Human vs Society (discrimination)
"...the way you grow old is kind of like an onion or like the rings inside a tree trunk..."
simile
Dealing with loss of culture
Homecoming (Akua)
He felt that he had to be the man of the house and take care of his family.
"I could see the ___ eye's, even from the kitchen table."
deer (Everything Will Be Okay)
The conflict that almost makes Akua get back onto the airplane
Human vs self (identity, loss of culture)
"'You fellow like a beer?' 'Lemon water,' said the third Indian."
irony
Deciding on an identity of your own
Everything Will Be Okay (James)
He had his hopes set on having a pet of his very own.
James Howe
"This box, I know. All this I've seen and heard cry and can still hear his voice, high-pitched and sweet."
Brother's Ashes (Homecoming)
The conflict that stops Cassie Ellison from going to Tessa's funeral
Human vs self (not wanting to deal with her own feelings)
"You flapped your ears with your hands and bleated"
Onomatopoeia
Living up to expectations of oneself
Fighter (Billy)
Her teacher did not listen to her and her birthday was ruined.
Rachel
"If you build it, they will come..."
Garden bench (A Seat in the Garden)
The conflict that causes a long delay at the border
Human vs Human (not letting the Blackfoot cross)
Human vs Society (discrimation)
"Billy felt almost as if he were fighting a thing rather than a man."
hyperbole
Stereotypes and entitlement
A Seat in the Garden (Joe & Red)
She died on a Friday night.
Tessa Martin
"Then, realizing that she had hurt him, picked it up and put it carefully back onto the dresser."
money (Fighter)
The conflict that resulted in a garden bench
Human vs Nature (the ghost, or the protection of a garden)
"You ever seen a black woman turn white as a ghost?"
metaphor
Being proud of your identity
Borders (the main character's mother--Blackfoot)