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What does the t-shirt slogan "Damn, I'm Good," mean in chapter one of The Bean Trees?

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In chapter one, the t-shirt slogan "Damn, I'm Good" reflects Taylor's ironic situation and emerging sense of pride. While she has always avoided pregnancy to escape her hometown, she unexpectedly finds herself caring for a baby. The slogan suggests her budding confidence in this new role and hints at the ironic twist of fate where she treasures the child, Turtle, despite her initial reluctance to become a parent.

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Barbara Kingsolver's The Bean Trees introduces us to Marietta, who now goes by Taylor, a young woman seeking adventure. Taylor comes upon parenting on accident when a baby is forced upon her by a desperate woman at a gas station. Taylor has a supply of t-shirts, and the "Damn, I'm Good," shirt is too small, making it the best option for the baby to wear.

The slogan references the pride Taylor is taking in caring for Turtle, Taylor's hope that Turtle might be her ticket into a Native American Reserve, and, ironically, the fact that Taylor is caring for a child at all. Taylor spent most of high school trying not to get pregnant and stuck in Kentucky, and she addresses the irony that she's now saddled with a child, albeit one she comes to adore.

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It represents several different things.  First of all, it has a sexual reference--implying her prowess in the bedroom.  Considering Taylor has done everything in her power to not get pregnant and stuck in her town, this is highly ironic.

It also indicates the relationship that she will eventually have with this child.  The "good" part of the phrase could imply a "good for you" idea.  It is also interesting that of all of the t-shirts Taylor chooses to dress the baby in, she picks one that she highly treasures and that she feels good about herself in.  That implys that that on some level she also treasures this baby as well.

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