Memorable Quotes from Lupita Nyong'o
6 quotesA Demand for Urgent Payment
Nakku Harriet
Mrs. Kimbale...
Mrs. Kimbale
I will have 10,000, or that door will not open.
Nakku Harriet
Of course. The money you earned, I need it now, Phiona.
[turns to Phiona]
Phiona Mutesi
I gave it to the man on the boda boda.
Nakku Harriet
You gave him our money!
Phiona Mutesi
I had to! Because he would not take Brian without it, Mama.
Mrs. Kimbale
If I were you, I'd find a man. There are plenty of sugar daddies who'd want to pay your rent.
Nakku Harriet
That is not my business, Mrs. Kimbale.
Mrs. Kimbale
Eh? Too superior, are we? Better than all of us?
[sits up from the chair; tosses the family photo album on the ground]
Nakku Harriet
Mrs. Kimbale...
Mrs. Kimbale
Take advantage of me.
Nakku Harriet
Mrs. Kimbale, Brian was in the hospital!
Mrs. Kimbale
No rent, no house.
[drops the basket full of the family's belongings]
Nakku Harriet
Where will we go? I beg you, please! For my children!
[speaks "Have mercy." in Ugandan]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Struggle for Dignity and Basic Needs
Patsey
I went to Massa Shaw's plantation!
Edwin Epps
Ya admit it.
Patsey
Freely. And you know why? I got this from Mistress Shaw. Mistress Epps won't even grant me no soap ta clean with. Stink so much I make myself gag. Five hundred pounds a cotton day in, day out. More than any man here. And fo that I will be clean; that all I ax. Dis here what I went to Shaw's fo.
[she produces a piece of soap from the pocket of her dress]
Edwin Epps
You lie...
Patsey
The Lord knows that's all.
Edwin Epps
You lie!
Patsey
And you blind wit yer own covetousness. I don't lie, Massa. If you kill me, I'll stick ta that.
Edwin Epps
I'll learn you to go to Shaw's. Treach, go get some line.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Consequences of Broken Promises
Nakku Harriet
If you do not keep your promise, you will never see my children again.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Protective Mother Confronts Potential Threat
Theo
Are you the mother of the sister?
Nakku Harriet
For you, I'm not either. And I know a hyena when I see it. You keep away from my daughter!
[kicks the rear end of Theo's motorcycle]
Night
Stop it, Mummy!
Nakku Harriet
If I see you sniffing around here again, I will burn this pile of tin to scrap!
Theo
You be careful. This bike is worth more than everything you have.
[Harriet dismissively growls]
Night
Theo!
Theo
Me, I'm gone.
[rides off]
Night
Theo! I will never forgive you for this.
[to Harriet]
Nakku Harriet
I don't need your forgiveness. I need you to sell maize to feed your brothers! Go. Go!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Maintaining Distance in Relationships
Nakku Harriet
I think she should keep this boy at a proper distance.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Misunderstandings in Roles and Responsibilities
Robert Katende
Hey, madam! Madam! Madam! Madam!
Nakku Harriet
These children are not helpers for your gambling games!
Robert Katende
Please, you misunderstand our work.
Nakku Harriet
I know the work you men do!
Robert Katende
Let me explain.
Nakku Harriet
If I find my children in here again-- Eh! --you will see me.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.