The Book of Susannah 12
by Link, KellySusannah reflects on her decision to skip karaoke, feeling no regret as she prefers solitude over forced social performances. She considers the awkwardness of singing with her whole family, recalling the tension with her sister Laura, who had recently yelled at her. Susannah muses on the nature of karaoke, believing that genuine emotion in performance outweighs technical perfection. This introspection reveals her detached mood and discomfort with family dynamics, underscoring her preference for authenticity and personal space over social expectations.
As Susannah lounges alone, she ignores texts from her sister Ruth, responding only with ambiguous emojis that leave interpretation open. Memories of her childhood and the origin of her imaginary friend, Bogomil, surface, hinting at the emotional impact of her parents’ divorce. Despite acknowledging how much better her life seems now, there is an undercurrent of unresolved sadness. Her solitary dinner and aimless TV watching emphasize her isolation and emotional distance from those around her.
The unexpected arrival of Mr. Anabin with Laura’s forgotten guitar introduces a moment of connection amidst Susannah’s solitude. His gentle suggestion that Susannah keep the guitar safe reveals his quiet concern and a subtle encouragement for her to care for herself. Susannah’s gratefulness and plans to repay his kindness show her appreciation for this small gesture of kindness, which contrasts with her otherwise withdrawn state. The snow and the cold exterior further frame this brief human warmth.
Finally, Susannah carefully stores the old guitar in the hall closet, tenderly tuning and singing to it, as if comforting both the instrument and herself. Her improvised song acknowledges the guitar’s shortcomings and the familial changes affecting it, symbolizing lingering attachments and transitions. The chapter closes with another doorbell, suggesting ongoing interruptions in Susannah’s quiet world, leaving readers with a sense of anticipation and unresolved tension.
FAQs
1. Why did Susannah choose not to attend the karaoke event, and what does this reveal about her character and current mood?
Answer:
Susannah deliberately avoided the karaoke event because she had no desire to participate, especially not with her sisters Laura and Ruth who would pressure her to sing despite recent tensions, such as Laura yelling at her earlier. She also expresses discomfort with the idea of a full family performance, which she associates with either cheesy country music or an awkward, overly staged scenario. This decision reveals that Susannah is feeling withdrawn, frustrated, and emotionally distant from her family. Her mood is subdued and reflective, preferring solitude over social interaction, highlighting her complex feelings about family dynamics and her own identity.2. How does the chapter contrast the nature of karaoke performances with the idea of genuine musical expression?
Answer:
The chapter contrasts karaoke as a scene where many people focus on hitting the right notes and replicating the original song perfectly, often through practice and technical precision. However, Susannah reflects that true performance is about conveying a personal point of view and emotional authenticity. She believes it is more powerful to sing with raw emotion—even yelling through a song—than to simply mimic the original flawlessly. This perspective emphasizes that music’s value lies in honest expression rather than technical perfection, underscoring a theme of sincerity versus appearance.3. What significance does the guitar returned by Mr. Anabin hold for Susannah, and how does this moment contribute to the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
The guitar symbolizes a connection to Susannah’s sister Laura and perhaps to their shared family history and personal struggles. Mr. Anabin’s act of returning the guitar gently suggests care and concern, especially as he advises Susannah to keep it safe and not necessarily tell Laura. This moment highlights themes of caretaking, secrecy, and emotional complexity within familial relationships. Susannah’s tender interaction with the guitar—tuning it and singing a melancholic song—reflects her longing for stability and connection amid familial fragmentation, reinforcing the chapter’s exploration of loss, memory, and the ways objects can carry emotional weight.4. Analyze the significance of Susannah’s use of emojis in her text responses to Ruth. What does this communication style suggest about their relationship and Susannah’s emotional state?
Answer:
Susannah’s choice to reply to Ruth’s texts with a string of seemingly random emojis (snake, plane, crying face, rainbow, 100) instead of words suggests a complex, perhaps ambivalent emotional state. This nonverbal, symbolic communication indicates that Susannah is not ready or willing to engage in direct conversation, possibly reflecting feelings of detachment, confusion, or emotional overwhelm. It also implies a level of trust or understanding between the sisters, as Susannah expects Ruth to interpret these ambiguous messages in her own way. This mode of communication underscores Susannah’s internal conflict and the nuanced dynamics within her family relationships.5. Consider Susannah’s reflection on the name “Bogomil” and her past. How does this insight deepen our understanding of her personal history and emotional growth?
Answer:
Susannah’s recollection of the name “Bogomil”—her magical wolf friend from childhood—and its probable connection to her father’s departure after the divorce reveals a poignant aspect of her past marked by sadness and loneliness. This insight contextualizes her current emotional landscape, showing how childhood trauma and family upheaval have shaped her inner world and coping mechanisms. Her ironic comment about how much better her life is now (“Ha!”) suggests a guarded skepticism about her own progress or happiness. This reflection deepens the reader’s understanding of Susannah as a character who carries the weight of her past even as she navigates complex family dynamics and seeks emotional resilience.
Quotes
1. “Sometimes people disappeared, and sometimes people showed up again. Susannah’s father, for example.”
This quote captures the chapter’s theme of absence and return, reflecting Susannah’s complex feelings about family and the unpredictability of relationships. It sets a tone of resignation and contemplation early in the chapter.
2. “Performing was about a point of view, about how you felt. It was better to get up and yell the whole way through a song and really mean it than to try to get all the notes right. You knew it when you heard it.”
Here, Susannah offers a profound insight into authenticity in artistic expression, emphasizing emotional truth over technical perfection. This thought highlights her perspective on karaoke and performance, symbolizing deeper ideas about sincerity versus appearance.
3. “Ruth could interpret these however she wanted. Snake plane crying-face rainbow rainbow rainbow 100.”
This line illustrates Susannah’s current emotional detachment and indirect communication style with her sister Ruth, using emojis as a coded, ambiguous language. It reveals the tension and distance within family dynamics during the chapter.
4. “‘Or you could put it somewhere safe and not mention it to her,’ Mr. Anabin said gently.”
This moment marks a subtle turning point, showing Mr. Anabin’s quiet encouragement for Susannah to take responsibility and perhaps protect something meaningful. It underscores themes of trust, secrecy, and care within the narrative.
5. “‘Oh you weren’t ever as good / as we wished you were / my sister has boughten new guitars / so much fanci-ar / but a piece of you remains with me yet…’”
This tender, self-penned song fragment encapsulates Susannah’s bittersweet feelings about the old guitar and, metaphorically, about memories and familial ties. It serves as a poignant emotional conclusion to the chapter, blending nostalgia with acceptance.
Quotes
1. “Sometimes people disappeared, and sometimes people showed up again. Susannah’s father, for example.”
This quote captures the chapter’s theme of absence and return, reflecting Susannah’s complex feelings about family and the unpredictability of relationships. It sets a tone of resignation and contemplation early in the chapter.
2. “Performing was about a point of view, about how you felt. It was better to get up and yell the whole way through a song and really mean it than to try to get all the notes right. You knew it when you heard it.”
Here, Susannah offers a profound insight into authenticity in artistic expression, emphasizing emotional truth over technical perfection. This thought highlights her perspective on karaoke and performance, symbolizing deeper ideas about sincerity versus appearance.
3. “Ruth could interpret these however she wanted. Snake plane crying-face rainbow rainbow rainbow 100.”
This line illustrates Susannah’s current emotional detachment and indirect communication style with her sister Ruth, using emojis as a coded, ambiguous language. It reveals the tension and distance within family dynamics during the chapter.
4. “‘Or you could put it somewhere safe and not mention it to her,’ Mr. Anabin said gently.”
This moment marks a subtle turning point, showing Mr. Anabin’s quiet encouragement for Susannah to take responsibility and perhaps protect something meaningful. It underscores themes of trust, secrecy, and care within the narrative.
5. “‘Oh you weren’t ever as good / as we wished you were / my sister has boughten new guitars / so much fanci-ar / but a piece of you remains with me yet…’”
This tender, self-penned song fragment encapsulates Susannah’s bittersweet feelings about the old guitar and, metaphorically, about memories and familial ties. It serves as a poignant emotional conclusion to the chapter, blending nostalgia with acceptance.
— Unknown
FAQs
1. Why did Susannah choose not to attend the karaoke event, and what does this reveal about her character and current mood?
Answer:
Susannah deliberately avoided the karaoke event because she had no desire to participate, especially not with her sisters Laura and Ruth who would pressure her to sing despite recent tensions, such as Laura yelling at her earlier. She also expresses discomfort with the idea of a full family performance, which she associates with either cheesy country music or an awkward, overly staged scenario. This decision reveals that Susannah is feeling withdrawn, frustrated, and emotionally distant from her family. Her mood is subdued and reflective, preferring solitude over social interaction, highlighting her complex feelings about family dynamics and her own identity.
2. How does the chapter contrast the nature of karaoke performances with the idea of genuine musical expression?
Answer:
The chapter contrasts karaoke as a scene where many people focus on hitting the right notes and replicating the original song perfectly, often through practice and technical precision. However, Susannah reflects that true performance is about conveying a personal point of view and emotional authenticity. She believes it is more powerful to sing with raw emotion—even yelling through a song—than to simply mimic the original flawlessly. This perspective emphasizes that music’s value lies in honest expression rather than technical perfection, underscoring a theme of sincerity versus appearance.
3. What significance does the guitar returned by Mr. Anabin hold for Susannah, and how does this moment contribute to the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
The guitar symbolizes a connection to Susannah’s sister Laura and perhaps to their shared family history and personal struggles. Mr. Anabin’s act of returning the guitar gently suggests care and concern, especially as he advises Susannah to keep it safe and not necessarily tell Laura. This moment highlights themes of caretaking, secrecy, and emotional complexity within familial relationships. Susannah’s tender interaction with the guitar—tuning it and singing a melancholic song—reflects her longing for stability and connection amid familial fragmentation, reinforcing the chapter’s exploration of loss, memory, and the ways objects can carry emotional weight.
4. Analyze the significance of Susannah’s use of emojis in her text responses to Ruth. What does this communication style suggest about their relationship and Susannah’s emotional state?
Answer:
Susannah’s choice to reply to Ruth’s texts with a string of seemingly random emojis (snake, plane, crying face, rainbow, 100) instead of words suggests a complex, perhaps ambivalent emotional state. This nonverbal, symbolic communication indicates that Susannah is not ready or willing to engage in direct conversation, possibly reflecting feelings of detachment, confusion, or emotional overwhelm. It also implies a level of trust or understanding between the sisters, as Susannah expects Ruth to interpret these ambiguous messages in her own way. This mode of communication underscores Susannah’s internal conflict and the nuanced dynamics within her family relationships.
5. Consider Susannah’s reflection on the name “Bogomil” and her past. How does this insight deepen our understanding of her personal history and emotional growth?
Answer:
Susannah’s recollection of the name “Bogomil”—her magical wolf friend from childhood—and its probable connection to her father’s departure after the divorce reveals a poignant aspect of her past marked by sadness and loneliness. This insight contextualizes her current emotional landscape, showing how childhood trauma and family upheaval have shaped her inner world and coping mechanisms. Her ironic comment about how much better her life is now (“Ha!”) suggests a guarded skepticism about her own progress or happiness. This reflection deepens the reader’s understanding of Susannah as a character who carries the weight of her past even as she navigates complex family dynamics and seeks emotional resilience.
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