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
At the end of class, Mr. Flores asks Jade to stay behind. He says that he’s proud of what she’s doing for Natasha Ramsey and that he’s giving extra credit to students who go to the benefit. When everyone else is gone, Mr. Flores apologizes for overlooking Jade. Hearing this from a teacher sounds strange. He continues that he spoke with Mrs. Parker, shared Jade’s concerns with her, and asked to secure Jade’s spot in the program for next year. Mr. Flores says that as long as Jade continues to meet the requirements, she’s going. Jade thanks him, but Mr. Flores says that Jade is the one who made this happen.
Here, Jade discovers that speaking up for herself can have consequences she never even considered—in this case, her courage in speaking up means that she not only gets to go on the trip next year, but that she also gets an apology from a teacher she admires. Mr. Flores’s choice to apologize and do this for Jade also situates him as a solid and trustworthy mentor. This experience will teach him to recognizes that all of his have something to offer others.
Themes
