What does this phrase mean: “death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him. in the code of military etiquette silence and fixity are forms of deference.”

The phrase means that death is an event to be respectful about, even by those for whom it is something usual. When it is expected or foreseeable, it has to be accepted in silence and firmly, as it is established by etiquette rules of social behavior.

"why don't you like me the way i am? " i cried. "i'm not a genius! i can't play the piano, and even if i could, i wouldn't go on tv if you paid me a million dollars! "

explanation:

the conflict between jing-mei and her mother is over jing-mei's piano lessons since her mother wants her to become a prodigy but she does not want to play it any more.

you are perfect just the way you are