Quinta's Classics, Part III: Chapter Summary and Study Guide

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

(If you're looking for a spoiler-free overview, you might prefer to start with the book hub and return here after reading.)

(Note: This is a study companion, not a substitute for the original text. All claims are based on the chapter's content.)

Summary

In the final installment of her “Quinta’s Classics” series, Brunson reflects on a diverse set of pop culture touchstones that she credits with shaping her identity and creative outlook. She begins with Mario Kart, which she started playing on a Nintendo 64 at age ten. The game appealed to her because it was enjoyable without being gruesome—a stark contrast to other games her brother Kwei owned. Over the years, she played it alone, with friends, and with boyfriends, using it both as an escape from responsibilities and as a celebration of accomplishments. More importantly, she draws a series of life lessons from the game: being in first place makes you a target, so you must never get too comfortable; you always need to protect yourself with a banana or shell (or a well-timed insult); you should avoid getting stuck in the middle of the pack, because the game’s algorithms give better items to those in last place; and you should trust women, because Peach is the best player. She also notes that the “bad guys” like Bowser, Wario, and Waluigi are fast but heavy, and ultimately not worth playing as.

Next, she discusses Mario Party, a game she initially ignored because her brother didn’t own it. After a hiatus from gaming in her twenties, she rediscovered her love for video games when she got a Nintendo Switch. During a visit to Philadelphia, her nephew Nasir—who had his own Switch—introduced her to Mario Party. Playing as partners, Nasir explained the game’s mechanics with impressive skill, and they bonded over shared victories. Brunson taught him about kindness and humility toward the losing team, and she was moved by his praise. She now plays Mario Party daily because it makes her feel closer to Nasir and to home.

Brunson then shifts to music. At twenty-one, while living between her college apartment and her parents’ attic in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, she discovered the Morning Benders’ video for “Excuses” on YouTube. The low-budget, behind-the-scenes style appealed to her, and the song became an escapist favorite during a difficult breakup. She watched it repeatedly, and it transported her back to that time whenever she hears it.

She also highlights Ryan Leslie’s behind-the-scenes video for “Addiction” featuring Cassie. The video shows Leslie crafting the beat from scratch in a single night, moving from drums to piano to synthesizer. Brunson was inspired by his DIY creativity and his ability to do everything himself. The video later became a meme (“Me When I Walk into Guitar Center”), but for Brunson it represented the possibility of being a self-sufficient creative.

The chapter then turns to memes. In 2018, Brunson encountered the “I’m Calling the Police” Shrek meme—an image of Shrek’s head on a woman’s body in a kitchen. She found it hilarious and noted that it predated the “Karen” phenomenon, using absurdity to critique the practice of white women calling the police on Black people. She calls it a perfect example of the “uncanny valley of humor.”

Finally, she recounts the origin of the “people be gay” meme. After a Vulture interview with Quincy Jones revealed that Richard Pryor had slept with Marlon Brando, homophobic rhetoric flooded her Twitter timeline. Brunson responded with a now-deleted tweet: “I can’t believe all of the homophobia I’m seeing on my timeline in 2018, the year of Rihanna’s thighs. People be gay.” Her friend Zack Fox superimposed the phrase “people be gay—Quinta Brunson” over her profile photo, and the meme went viral. Brunson is proud that the LGBTQIA community uses it every June for Pride Month, and that people have even used it to come out to their families.

Brunson concludes that these items—games, songs, videos, and memes—guided her into becoming the creator she is today. She encourages readers to reflect on their own influences, and she ends by saying she wants to be a hybrid of Peach, Ryan Leslie, and a dinosaur from Jurassic Park.

Key Events

Brunson starts playing Mario Kart at age ten and continues for years, drawing life lessons from the game.
She rediscovers video games in her twenties after getting a Nintendo Switch.
During a visit to Philadelphia, her nephew Nasir introduces her to Mario Party, and they bond over playing together.
At twenty-one, she discovers the Morning Benders’ “Excuses” video on YouTube, which becomes an escapist favorite.
She watches Ryan Leslie’s behind-the-scenes video for “Addiction” and is inspired by his DIY creative process.
In 2018, she encounters the “I’m Calling the Police” Shrek meme, which she appreciates for its social commentary.
After the Quincy Jones interview, she tweets “people be gay” in response to homophobia; Zack Fox turns it into a meme.
The “people be gay” meme is adopted by the LGBTQIA community, especially during Pride Month.
Brunson reflects on how these influences shaped her identity and encourages readers to consider their own.

Character Development

This chapter reveals several facets of Brunson’s personality and growth. Her relationship with Nasir shows her as a caring aunt who values family connection. She is initially hesitant about Mario Party but embraces it because of her nephew’s enthusiasm, and she takes the opportunity to teach him about kindness and humility. Her willingness to learn from a child—letting Nasir explain the game—demonstrates openness and humility on her part.

Brunson also emerges as a reflective and self-aware person. She uses Mario Kart as a metaphor for life, showing that she thinks deeply about everyday experiences. Her appreciation for the Ryan Leslie video reveals her creative ambition and her desire for independence in her own work. She admires Leslie’s ability to do everything himself, which aligns with her own journey as a multi-hyphenate creator.

Her engagement with memes—both as a consumer and as a subject—highlights her sense of humor and her commitment to social justice. She appreciates the Shrek meme for its subtle critique of racial profiling, and she is proud that the “people be gay” meme has become a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride. Her willingness to speak out against homophobia, even at the risk of backlash, shows courage and conviction.

Finally, Brunson’s concluding desire to be a hybrid of Peach, Ryan Leslie, and a dinosaur from Jurassic Park encapsulates her playful yet aspirational self-image: she wants to be strong, creative, and timeless.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Nostalgia and Memory: Brunson repeatedly connects specific media to specific periods of her life. The Morning Benders’ video transports her back to her attic room; Mario Kart ties her to her past while entertaining her in the present. These items serve as memory anchors, helping her understand who she was and who she has become.

Family Bonding: Mario Party becomes a vehicle for connecting with her nephew Nasir. The game is not just entertainment but a way to bridge the distance created by her move to Los Angeles. Brunson’s daily playing of the game is a way to feel closer to home.

Creative Independence: The Ryan Leslie video inspires Brunson to believe she can create on her own terms. The DIY aesthetic of the Morning Benders’ video also appeals to her, reinforcing the idea that talent and effort matter more than polish.

Humor as Social Critique: Both the Shrek meme and the “people be gay” meme use absurdity to make serious points. Brunson appreciates the Shrek meme for its commentary on racial profiling, and she is honored that the “people be gay” meme has become a tool for LGBTQ+ pride and coming-out stories.

Self-Protection and Strategy: Mario Kart’s lessons about staying alert, protecting yourself, and avoiding stagnation are metaphors for navigating life’s challenges. Brunson applies these lessons to her own career and personal life.

Trusting Women: Brunson’s assertion that Peach is the best Mario Kart player is a playful but pointed reminder to value women’s abilities, a theme that resonates with her broader advocacy.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter serves as the capstone of the “Quinta’s Classics” series, tying together the various influences that have shaped Brunson’s identity. It demonstrates that pop culture is not just entertainment but a formative force that can teach life lessons, foster family connections, and inspire creative ambition. Brunson’s reflections encourage readers to examine their own influences and to recognize the value in the seemingly trivial media they consume.

The chapter also highlights Brunson’s unique position as a creator who emerged from internet culture. By discussing the “people be gay” meme, she shows how a simple tweet can become a meaningful symbol for a marginalized community. Her pride in being part of that meme underscores her commitment to using her platform for positive change.

Finally, the chapter reinforces the book’s overarching theme of self-discovery. Brunson’s list of classics is not just a nostalgic trip; it is a way of understanding who she wants to be. Her conclusion—that she wants to be a hybrid of Peach, Ryan Leslie, and a dinosaur—is both humorous and aspirational, encapsulating the blend of strength, creativity, and timelessness she strives for.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Brunson use Mario Kart as a metaphor for life, and what specific lessons does she draw from it?

Brunson sees Mario Kart as a microcosm of life’s challenges. She notes that being in first place makes you a target, so you must never become complacent. She also emphasizes the need to protect yourself from attacks, whether from a red shell or a well-timed insult. Additionally, she warns against getting stuck in the middle of the pack, because the game gives better items to those in last place, and she advises trusting women, since Peach is the best player. These lessons translate to staying alert, defending yourself, avoiding stagnation, and valuing competence regardless of gender.

2. What role does family play in Brunson’s rediscovery of video games, and how does her interaction with Nasir reflect her values?

Family is central to Brunson’s return to gaming. After a hiatus, she rediscovers video games through a Nintendo Switch, but it is her nephew Nasir who introduces her to Mario Party. Their partnership in the game allows Brunson to bond with him and to see his intelligence and skill. She also takes the opportunity to teach him about kindness and humility toward the losing team, showing that she values character development over mere victory. Her daily playing of Mario Party afterward is a way to maintain that connection to Nasir and to home.

3. How does the “people be gay” meme illustrate the power of internet culture to create positive social change?

The meme originated from Brunson’s response to homophobic rhetoric on Twitter after the Quincy Jones interview. Her tweet, “people be gay,” was a simple but pointed reminder that queerness is not new. When Zack Fox turned it into a meme by superimposing the phrase over her photo, it gained traction and became a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride. Brunson notes that the meme is shared every June for Pride Month and that people have used it to come out to their families. This shows how a humorous, shareable image can carry a message of acceptance and validation, reaching audiences in ways that more formal advocacy might not.