On Monday, June 2nd, I conducted my lit seminar. I was the only one to go that day and I feel that the entire seminar went very well. There was continuous conversation as well as very positive, informative feedback to my questions.
My first question was: Throughout the book, Waverly has discussed her likes and dislikes of chess and we have discussed what chess means to her and why she is/was doing it. Why do you think that she still relates to chess? How has it impacted her since the beginning? Try to name at least 3 specific events that show this…
The 3 specific events weren't really covered -- for reasons I can't imagine-- other than G. aka Gorman (Tom) who had a very good example which was when Waverly was always being entered into tournaments because of her mom and what kind of person she has become. (sorry if i got that one wrong G, i tried to remember the best i could!)
The second question: At the end of the chapter, Waverly talks of going to China with Rich, and possibly even her mother. She briefly discusses the pros and cons of her mother going and ends the chapter, on page 205, saying “Yet part of me also thinks the whole idea makes perfect sense. The three of us, leaving our differences behind, stepping on the plane together, sitting side by side, lifting off, moving West to reach the East.” Discuss and elaborate on the final closing, “moving West to reach the East,” and what you feel that means.
Most of the answers here were very literal answers, all with the sam underlying point. This was that she was literally going West, to China from San Francisco, to the East, China. Other explanations that were more metaphorical, had the main point of reaching some harmony between the family members. I don't exactly remember who, (i think it was Andrea but if it was you please let me know so i can fix it) but whoever it was, he/she brought up a avery good point. They compared the West to the East to the sun, rising in the east and setting in the West, and adding on that it was like starting a new day, the beginning of understanding between the families.
The entire seminar went very well done and I applaud those of you who went first and made it seem easy for a job well done. It really helped knowing that it wasn't too bad and was somewhat enjoyable (to me at least). Overall, the seminar idea is a very good one because it gives you a chance to hear everyone's ideas and opinions on the book that you may agree with or had not even thought of.
Overall, it went very well.
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To elaborate more on the first question, i truely believe that Waverly relates so much to chess because of her childhood. It was so demanding in her life, and she spent all of her time studying or playing it, that now since she is older, it is almost all that she knows. When you grow up with something that forceful and all the time, of course you will relate back to it.
A specific event that relates to chess is when her mother is embarrasing her in the stores, and Waverly runs away. This shows the early disagreement and flaw in their relationship, which snowballed into something much bigger and more dramatic later on. Because of the not-so-good relationship with her mother, this can be related to also.
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