What is the meaning and significance of this quote from The Egypt Game?"Dorothea always said, 'I'll take mine new and shiny.'"

In saying this quote, Dorothea is indicating a preference
of hers in which she differs with her daughter April. April likes "old stuff," like the
antiques and second-hand items she finds in the Professor's store. Dorothea has no use
for these things. She likes things "new and shiny."

The
quote has significance in that it points to a basic difference between April and her
mother. Dorothea is consumed by glitz and glamour; she is very concerned with the
appearance of things, the way they look on the outside. April at first seems to prefer
the same things as Dorothea, with her fake eyelashes and attempts to appear
sophisticated and worldly. There is another side to April, however, that has more depth
than her mother; April only focuses on shallow values because she wants to be like her
mother, and win her love. April, however, when she allows herself to be herself, is much
deeper in nature than Dorothea. April has a side that can appreciate things with
character and history, while Dorothea only sees what is on the
surface.

The quote has another significance as well. The
fact that Dorothea admits that she prefers "new and shiny" things indicates that, when
things get old, they lessen in value to her. Dorothea gets tired of things very quickly,
and is always in pursuit of new possessions and experiences. Sadly, one of the things
she gets tired of is her daughter April, whom she leaves with April's grandmother while
she looks for new stimulation in her life (Chapter 2).