How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
Moving across the field, slowly, mechanically, as if sleepwalking, was a flood of men and women dumping shovels of dirt on fire patches which refused to die. They wore wide handkerchiefs over their faces and many wore hats, making it difficult to identify who was who, but it was obvious that the ranks of the fire fighters had swelled from the two dozen townsmen to include nearby farmers. I recognized Mr. Lanier by his floppy blue hat working side by side with Mr. Simms, each oblivious of the other, and Papa near the slope waving orders to two of the townsmen. Mr. Granger, hammering down smoldering stalks with the flat of his shovel, was near the south pasture where Mr. Morrison and Mama were swatting the burning ground. (12.91)
There's nothing like the threat of a disaster to forcefully bring people together. Here, we get a glimpse of how things could be: everyone working together, side by side. Temporarily, racial differences don't matter, since all of the people are united by one goal—to put out the fire and save their homes and property. Notice how the handkerchiefs and hats make it "difficult to identify who was who"? Why do you think Taylor describes the people in this way here?