--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why, Tess,' Billy said, with exaggerated…" description: "\"“Why, Tess,' Billy said, with exaggerated surprise, 'aren't you just crazy about being a cheerleader?' 'Oh, I love it,' she responded derisively. 'All ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/barbara-cohen-28364_cheerleader_why-tess-billy-said-with-exaggerated-sur_2659931.jpg" --- # Why, Tess,' Billy said, with exaggerated surprise, 'aren't… ![“Why, Tess,' Billy said, with exaggerated surprise, 'aren't you just crazy about being a cheerleader?' 'Oh, I love it,' she responded derisively. 'All this rah-rah stuff is for infants. I'm sick of it.' I could hardly believe my ears. How could anyone get sick of being part of the most prestigious…” quote by Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/barbara-cohen-28364_cheerleader_why-tess-billy-said-with-exaggerated-sur_2659931.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/barbara-cohen-28364_cheerleader_why-tess-billy-said-with-exaggerated-sur_2659931.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/barbara-cohen-28364_cheerleader_why-tess-billy-said-with-exaggerated-sur_2659931.jpg) > ““Why, Tess,' Billy said, with exaggerated surprise, 'aren't you just crazy about being a cheerleader?' 'Oh, I love it,' she responded derisively. 'All this rah-rah stuff is for infants. I'm sick of it.' I could hardly believe my ears. How could anyone get sick of being part of the most prestigious group of females in the school? I mean, in my own thoughts, I could make fun of cheerleading as a mindless activity, but I couldn't sneer at the popularity and adoration the cheerleaders received as their due. I couldn't be that dishonest with myself.”” [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She wrestles with internal conflict about admiring a popular group while criticizing it, highlighting self‑deception. **In simple terms:** She feels conflicted about liking something she criticizes. Key Takeaway Acknowledge both admiration and criticism honestly. Themes self‑deception pop culture identity integrity Mood conflicted thoughtful Type narrative introspective When to use this quote - high school life - social clubs - personal values - peer pressure Key Concepts social conformity cognitive dissonance self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - What does the cheerleader symbolize for you? - How can you reconcile admiration with critique? A Different Perspective Denial can prevent authentic self‑understanding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cheerleader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheerleader/) [Cheerleading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheerleading/) ## Related quotes > [“There is no instant anything. Overnight success is a lie. That lie is just one of many lies that youth want to believe, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-t-sneed/there-is-no-instant-anything-overnight-success-is-a-lie-that-lie-is/) Mark T. Sneed > [I wasn't a cheerleader or the prom queen. I don't move through the world with a mirror in front of my face, and I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-michele/i-wasn-t-a-cheerleader-or-the-prom-queen-i-don-t-move-through-the/) [Michael Michele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-michele/) > [There are two types of people in this world, cheerleaders, and those who wish they were.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-are-two-types-of-people-in-this-world-cheerleaders-and-those/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Cheerleaders are angels - we're the only humans who can fly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camilia/cheerleaders-are-angels-we-re-the-only-humans-who-can-fly/) [Camilia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camilia/) > [It takes a little more to make a champion, but it takes A LOT more to make a cheerleader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-a-little-more-to-make-a-champion-but-it-takes-a-lot-more-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not a cheerleader. I'm not trying to pretend to be sweet and then come out and be bad. This is who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-ford/i-m-not-a-cheerleader-i-m-not-trying-to-pretend-to-be-sweet-and-then/) [Willa Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-ford/) > [Athlete by nature, cheerleader by choice!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/athlete-by-nature-cheerleader-by-choice/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [With 'Bring It On,' I really have to give most of the credit to the people who lifted me up. In cheerleading, a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-louderman/with-bring-it-on-i-really-have-to-give-most-of-the-credit-to-the/) [Taylor Louderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-louderman/) > [People who lift weights are whimps, cheerleaders lift people!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-who-lift-weights-are-whimps-cheerleaders-lift-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Having been a cheerleader, I know all too well what these girls give up to join forces and compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-ripa/having-been-a-cheerleader-i-know-all-too-well-what-these-girls-give/) [Kelly Ripa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-ripa/) > [Even at 10 or 12, I was a hot, fast little cheerleader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-joyner-kersee/even-at-10-or-12-i-was-a-hot-fast-little-cheerleader/) [Jackie Joyner-Kersee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-joyner-kersee/) > [I cheered once! It was in middle school, such a long time ago. I was never really a cheerleader but I did do gymnastics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hayden-panettiere/i-cheered-once-it-was-in-middle-school-such-a-long-time-ago-i-was/) [Hayden Panettiere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hayden-panettiere/) > [Why are you a cheerleader if you can't take constructive criticism?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-are-you-a-cheerleader-if-you-can-t-take-constructive-criticism/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Look I dont agree with the choice youre making, but youre gonna need Glee, you have 7 months of your youth left and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-berry/look-i-dont-agree-with-the-choice-youre-making-but-youre-gonna-need/) [Rachel Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-berry/) > [Cheerleading is life, the rest is just details.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/cheerleading-is-life-the-rest-is-just-details/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Barbara Cohen > [ “I'm a superior foot massager,' Mr. Jensen said \[to Mother\]. 'Later, I'll show you my license.' He laughed, and his eyes glinted. I looked… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/i-m-a-superior-foot-massager-mr-jensen-said-to-mother-later-i-ll-show/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“Listen to me, Amin," I said slowly. "Listen to me very carefully. Nothing is the same. Nothing will ever be the same again. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/listen-to-me-amin-i-said-slowly-listen-to-me-very-carefully-nothing/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“The nice thing about a round table is that it can seat an almost infinite number of people, as King Arthur found out long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/the-nice-thing-about-a-round-table-is-that-it-can-seat-an-almost/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“It was the face that disturbed me. The artist had lit it in such a way that it appeared very strong, actually, to my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/it-was-the-face-that-disturbed-me-the-artist-had-lit-it-in-such-a-way/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“She chattered on about the Inn. 'I'm a genius,' she said. 'I got three hundred people into two rooms that were meant to hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/she-chattered-on-about-the-inn-i-m-a-genius-she-said-i-got-three/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“It's amazing what you have to buy after a fire has completely wiped you out - things you never think about, like toothbrushes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/it-s-amazing-what-you-have-to-buy-after-a-fire-has-completely-wiped/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“Most of the time when you talk to people, nothing happens. It's all just, 'Pass me the salt,' and 'Remember to pick up some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/most-of-the-time-when-you-talk-to-people-nothing-happens-it-s-all/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“Mrs. Littnauer must have brought thirty dresses back to the fitting room for me to try on. But most of them weren't right on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/mrs-littnauer-must-have-brought-thirty-dresses-back-to-the-fitting/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“What did he give you?' I asked Rosie. 'A birthday present,' Rosie replied. 'He said not to open it until December 8.' 'You're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/what-did-he-give-you-i-asked-rosie-a-birthday-present-rosie-replied/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“Once you start in with sex,' she replied slowly, 'it's hard to stop. It gets to be something you find it difficult to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/once-you-start-in-with-sex-she-replied-slowly-it-s-hard-to-stop-it/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“I want my new friends and my old friends to get together,' she said, 'so we're going to have a shoe dance. All the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/i-want-my-new-friends-and-my-old-friends-to-get-together-she-said-so/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“My secret love, Billy Colbert, had to make up the same test. Afterward, we left the chemistry lab together. 'Well, it was long,' Billy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/my-secret-love-billy-colbert-had-to-make-up-the-same-test-afterward/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“We didn't sit down after the waltz because the next set was fox trots. Someone had turned out the overhead lights and only the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/we-didn-t-sit-down-after-the-waltz-because-the-next-set-was-fox-trots/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“We had all commenced that thrusting and parrying that always goes on when you meet new people. How I hated those games. I wondered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/we-had-all-commenced-that-thrusting-and-parrying-that-always-goes-on/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) > [“I cried for a little while, taking a kind of melancholy delight in my own tears, and then I fell asleep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-cohen/i-cried-for-a-little-while-taking-a-kind-of-melancholy-delight-in-my/) [Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) [Explore all 19 Barbara Cohen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-cohen/) ## More Cheerleader quotes > [I had this all-American cheerleader girl, in Georgia or somewhere, coming up to me and asking for guest list at a show. I never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romy-madley-croft/i-had-this-all-american-cheerleader-girl-in-georgia-or-somewhere/) [Romy Madley Croft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romy-madley-croft/) > [I'm not trying to be conceited or anything, but being a Seahawks cheerleader got me recognized back in Seattle. That was back when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lancaster/i-m-not-trying-to-be-conceited-or-anything-but-being-a-seahawks/) [Amber Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lancaster/) > [You don’t create a diamond by rubbing it with fluffy bunny slippers. You need to apply pressure and heat. There are enough air-headed cheerleaders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-ann-dawson/you-don-t-create-a-diamond-by-rubbing-it-with-fluffy-bunny-slippers/) [Julie Ann Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-ann-dawson/) > [I definitely think cheerleaders have no fear. When I took the 'Hellcats' job, I was like, 'Whoa, this is a sport.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-tisdale/i-definitely-think-cheerleaders-have-no-fear-when-i-took-the-hellcats/) [Ashley Tisdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-tisdale/) > [Never thought my biggest cheerleader would be someone who thought I was evil and unnatural.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/never-thought-my-biggest-cheerleader-would-be-someone-who-thought-i/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [He looked at my lips. I suddenly found myself wanting to lick his. 'Yes,' he replied, his eyes going molten. My breath caught in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-macalister/he-looked-at-my-lips-i-suddenly-found-myself-wanting-to-lick-his-yes/) [Katie MacAlister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-macalister/) > [Cheerleading is life, the rest is just details.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/cheerleading-is-life-the-rest-is-just-details/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I used to be a cheerleader, but fighting just seemed more, "me". So I went that route.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-vanzant/i-used-to-be-a-cheerleader-but-fighting-just-seemed-more-me-so-i-went/) [Paige VanZant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-vanzant/) > [“She climbs down and pours half an inch of Jim Beam into a Bengals mug that came free with a tank of gas. Alice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/she-climbs-down-and-pours-half-an-inch-of-jim-beam-into-a-bengals-mug/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [“Not everyone is going to be a cheerleader for you! Not everyone is going to have your back or support you. In fact, some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-l-thompson/not-everyone-is-going-to-be-a-cheerleader-for-you-not-everyone-is/) [V.L. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-l-thompson/) > [Look I dont agree with the choice youre making, but youre gonna need Glee, you have 7 months of your youth left and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-berry/look-i-dont-agree-with-the-choice-youre-making-but-youre-gonna-need/) [Rachel Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-berry/) > [Ratings are king and the money keeps flowing, and partisanship is so strong today that people rely on a few sources absolutely instead of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-kasparov/ratings-are-king-and-the-money-keeps-flowing-and-partisanship-is-so/) [Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-kasparov/) > [I excelled in my academics. But, I also was a cheerleader and I ran track.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rubi-rose/i-excelled-in-my-academics-but-i-also-was-a-cheerleader-and-i-ran/) [Rubi Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rubi-rose/) > [My mom is my biggest cheerleader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mj-rodriguez/my-mom-is-my-biggest-cheerleader/) [Mj Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mj-rodriguez/) > [If you've got the game, we've got the cheer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-ve-got-the-game-we-ve-got-the-cheer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 294 Cheerleader quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheerleader/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Why, Tess,' Billy said, with exaggerated surprise, 'aren't you just crazy about being a cheerleader?' 'Oh, I love it,' she responded derisively. 'All this rah-rah stuff is for infants. I'm sick of it.' I could hardly believe my ears. 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