Question

Why does Claudette repeat the mantra "shoes on feet" throughout the story?

Answer 1

Answer:

Claudette's anxiety about the dance is clear when she begins to practice in secret.

or you could put

To force acceptance of the new reality in which she lives.

Explanation:

Explanation for Answer 1:

showing that Claudette does not feel she has the social skill needed for human interactions. Claudette's anxiety about the dance is clear when she begins to practice in secret and repeats to herself, “Mouth shut—shoes on feet!

Explanation for Answer 2:

Claudette is a girl who was raised by wolves. She lived by the ways of the wolves and knew nothing of human behavior. However, one day a group of nuns found her and took her to be raised as a human child, supplying what she believed she was and forcing her to assume human characteristics and customs.

One of the big changes that Claudette went through was having to wear shoes and not eat them like wolves do. So whenever the instinct to take your shoes off came, Claudette used the mantra that reminded her to behave like a human being. The mantra was "mouth closed and shoes on the feet".