What is it with the shoes? What was Ms. Miller implying when asking Bridgett about her shoes? What lessons did Bridgett’s mother teach her that day when she took her to purchase the pair of yellow patent leather shoes?

Bridgett had 12 pairs of shoes when she was in first grade, and these symbolize the fact that her mother is able to provide more than just the basics for Bridgett and her siblings. That fact attracts the negative attention of her teacher, who clearly thought Bridgett's parents were involved in some illegal enterprise.

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