Eleanor and Park is a popular young adult novel written by Rainbow Rowell. The story revolves around the lives of two teenagers, Eleanor and Park, who form an unlikely bond amidst the challenges of teenage love and societal prejudices. While the book has received critical acclaim for its portrayal of adolescent romance, it also addresses important issues such as racism, bullying, and body shaming.
Unfortunately, racism is an unfortunate reality in our society, and this is reflected in some of the quotes from Eleanor and Park. These quotes serve as a reminder of the discrimination and prejudice that individuals may face based on their race or ethnicity. It is important to approach these quotes with sensitivity and understanding, as they depict the harsh realities experienced by the characters in the book.
Here are some thought-provoking quotes from Eleanor and Park that shed light on the theme of racism:
Read these Eleanor and Park Racist Quotes
“They didn’t say anything about the kids who lived on the other side of the highway. Partly because they didn’t know about them, but mostly because they didn’t want to.”
“Park wondered if Eleanor needed to borrow money. If she did, he could give it to her without making a big deal out of it. Or she could borrow it from someone else. Park was pretty sure Richie would lend her money. But then, she’d have to tell Richie.”
“He’d stopped trying to bring her back. She only came back when she felt like it, in dreams and lies and broken-down déjà vu.”
“Richie was a year older than Eleanor, and he had a car. He drank beer and had sex, and she knew from Monica that he was experienced and ‘hung like a horse.’
“Park tried to ignore Richie. It was getting easier. Probably because he was running out of things he wanted to say to him. Eleanor was all he wanted to talk about, and Richie didn’t want to hear about her.”
“Richie looked right at Park when he said it, too. Park could feel his eyes moving over his face, pushing him around.”
“Maybe Park had paralyzed him somehow, just by being Asian.”
“Park had never told Eleanor about his dad. He’d told her about his mom, though. He’d told her that his dad was Korean, and she’d said, ‘Oh, that’s why you’re so handsome.’
“You can’t just sit down and read a book when you’re a black guy; the rest of the world expects you to be doing something.””
“The school bus was where they left you. Nobody ever gave you a ride home.”
“The white kids had to ride the bus, too. They just had to ride it with the black kids. And the black kids had to ride it with the white kids. It was like being forced to eat your least favorite food at every meal.”
“It wasn’t like the white kids were mean to Eleanor because she was black. It was like they were mean to her because they were white, and they thought she was white, too.”
“He realized that Eleanor loved him back. And that was like a promise, too. Like a pinky promise. Eleanor loved him. And he loved her, and that was the most important thing that ever happened.”
“Eleanor wondered if Park was sleeping. She wondered what it would be like to be inside his head, to see herself the way he saw her.”
“Eleanor had thought she was being funny. She hadn’t been trying to hurt her mom. But her mom had cried anyway.”
“She looked like art, and art wasn’t supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something.”
“Holding Eleanor’s hand was like holding a butterfly. Or a heartbeat. Like holding something complete, and completely alive.”
“I don’t like you, Park,” she said, sounding for a second like she actually meant it. “I…” – “It’s okay,” he said.
“You can be Han Solo,” he said, kissing her throat. “And I’ll be Boba Fett. I’ll cross the sky for you.”
“She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art wasn’t supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something.”
These quotes from Eleanor and Park offer glimpses into the complex dynamics of racism and prejudice that the characters face. It is important to approach these topics with empathy and understanding, as they reflect the harsh realities that individuals may encounter in their lives. By acknowledging and addressing these issues, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
