"Question everything. Every stripe, every star, every word spoken. Everything"

This quote by Ernest Gaines motivates us to be analytical and to think seriously about the world around us. He is recommending that we need to not take anything at face value, but rather concern and examine every detail. This could refer to the stripes and stars of the American flag, which represent the country's history and values. It could likewise describe the words spoken by those in power, which may not constantly be truthful. Gaines is recommending that we ought to not take anything for granted, but instead question and examine everything. This could be used to our own lives, as well as the world around us. By questioning and examining the world around us, we can acquire a much better understanding of our own lives and the world we live in.