The state of mind is revealed by the quote, “all the smoldering emotions of that summer swelled in me and burst" is an overwhelming feeling of helplessness caused by the narrator’s new understanding of the world. This is the feeling of knowing new aspect of her life.
The passage clearly shows that narrator was not aware of her family's situation. She suddenly came to know the truth of their poverty. This feeling of realization that they are poor has made her emotionally week. She is not at all mentally stable to make correct decision or think positively. She has mixed feelings of helplessness, anger and hopelessness.
