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    Literary FictionWomen's Fiction

    Wait

    by Burnham, Gabriella
    “Wait” by Gabriella Burnham is a coming-of-age novel set on Nantucket Island, focusing on two Brazilian American sisters, Elise and Sophie. After their undocumented mother is deported, the sisters navigate complex family dynamics, identity, and self-sufficiency amidst socioeconomic challenges. The narrative explores themes of immigration, belonging, and resilience in a nuanced portrayal of contemporary American life.
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    Wait

    Part I: Home Chapter 1

    by Burnham, Gabriella

    The chap­ter opens with Elise and She­ba prepar­ing for a par­ty on the eve of grad­u­a­tion. Elise watch­es She­ba choose a dress near­ly iden­ti­cal to her own, high­light­ing their inti­mate yet com­plex friend­ship. The atmos­phere in the dorm room is calm, with night air drift­ing through an open win­dow, con­trast­ing the under­ly­ing ten­sions. She­ba men­tions she can­not stay out late due to phys­i­cal rea­sons, and their con­ver­sa­tion reveals social dynam­ics and emo­tion­al nuances, includ­ing Elise’s curios­i­ty about the par­ty and Sheba’s enig­mat­ic social oblig­a­tions.

    Elise’s fam­i­ly is en route from Nan­tuck­et to attend her grad­u­a­tion, a jour­ney marked by uncer­tain­ty and delayed com­mu­ni­ca­tion. Elise anx­ious­ly texts her moth­er and sis­ter, grow­ing increas­ing­ly con­cerned as mes­sages go unan­swered through­out the day. This grow­ing unease jux­ta­pos­es the youth­ful rev­el­ry of the par­ty, where She­ba immers­es her­self in music and dance, draw­ing Elise into a shared expe­ri­ence that blurs their indi­vid­ual iden­ti­ties. Their mir­rored dress­es and inti­mate ges­tures under­score themes of con­nec­tion and dif­fer­ence between the two young women.

    As the night unfolds, Elise returns to her dorm exhaust­ed and dis­con­nect­ed, her phone dead and mes­sages missed. The morn­ing brings a stark shift when Sophie calls, fran­tic and reveal­ing that their moth­er nev­er board­ed the fer­ry to join them. This rev­e­la­tion intro­duces a sud­den cri­sis, cast­ing a shad­ow over the antic­i­pat­ed cel­e­bra­tion. The chap­ter cap­tures Elise’s attempt to process this alarm­ing news, bal­anc­ing dis­be­lief with urgent con­cern, while Sophie’s voice con­veys grow­ing dis­tress and con­fu­sion.

    The chap­ter clos­es on a note of uncer­tain­ty and ten­sion, as Elise and Sophie grap­ple with their mother’s mys­te­ri­ous absence just hours before the grad­u­a­tion cer­e­mo­ny. The nar­ra­tive effec­tive­ly con­trasts moments of youth­ful inti­ma­cy and antic­i­pa­tion with the sud­den intru­sion of anx­i­ety and unre­solved fam­i­ly con­cerns. This open­ing chap­ter sets a tone of emo­tion­al com­plex­i­ty and fore­shad­ows chal­lenges ahead, anchor­ing the sto­ry in themes of fam­i­ly, iden­ti­ty, and the unpre­dictable nature of life’s piv­otal moments.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does the chapter establish the relationship dynamics between Elise and Sheba through their actions and interactions?

      Answer:
      The chapter portrays Elise and Sheba as closely intertwined, despite their differences in background and personality. Their relationship is established through intimate, almost symbiotic actions—Sheba borrows a dress identical to Elise’s, and they mirror each other’s dance moves at the party. The exchange of the eyeshadow compact and the moment where Sheba places Elise’s finger in her mouth illustrate a deep, physical closeness and a merging of identities. The description highlights their contrast—Sheba as the Heiress with pale skin and distinct features, Elise as the Child of Immigrants with a softer complexion—yet they share a sense of connection and mutual understanding. This dynamic suggests a complex friendship that blurs boundaries of individuality and social identity.

      2. What role does the setting play in the mood and themes introduced in this chapter?

      Answer:
      The setting alternates between the dorm room, the party, and the impending graduation day, each contributing to the chapter’s mood and thematic undertones. The dorm room, with an open window letting in “tranquil air,” creates an intimate, almost serene backdrop that contrasts with the vibrant, psychedelic party scene where music by Robyn, Frank Ocean, and LCD Soundsystem blares. This juxtaposition reflects themes of transition, identity, and social belonging. The night before graduation symbolizes a liminal space—a threshold between past and future, youth and adulthood. The tension between anticipation (the family’s journey to graduation) and uncertainty (Elise’s mother’s disappearance) underlines themes of family, responsibility, and the unknown.

      3. How does the chapter use the motif of communication, or lack thereof, to create tension?

      Answer:
      Communication, and its failure, is a central motif that builds tension throughout the chapter. Elise repeatedly tries to contact her mother and sister via text, but receives no replies, creating an anxious atmosphere. The unanswered messages and dead phone battery during the party exacerbate this uncertainty. Sophie’s frantic calls the next morning reveal that Elise’s mother never arrived for the graduation, heightening the sense of worry and mystery. This motif emphasizes themes of connection and disconnection within families and friendships. It also reflects the vulnerability of relying on technology for communication and the emotional impact when those connections break down at critical moments.

      4. In what ways does the chapter explore the theme of identity, particularly through the characters of Elise and Sheba?

      Answer:
      The chapter explores identity by contrasting and blending Elise’s and Sheba’s backgrounds, appearances, and social roles. Elise is described as the Child of Immigrants with a “soft, easy body” and a complexion like “oversteeped chamomile tea,” whereas Sheba is the Heiress with “milk-white skin” and “dandelion-seed hair.” Despite no common history or many shared interests, they adopt each other’s styles and mannerisms—wearing identical dresses, sharing makeup, and dancing in sync—signifying an intimate exchange of identity. This fluidity suggests a search for self-definition through interpersonal connection, highlighting how identity can be both individual and relational. The chapter thus raises questions about authenticity, performance, and the influence of social and cultural backgrounds on personal identity.

      5. Considering the unfolding events and character interactions, what potential conflicts or themes might develop in the story based on this chapter?

      Answer:
      This chapter sets up several potential conflicts and themes. The sudden disappearance of Elise’s mother introduces a family crisis that could explore themes of responsibility, loss, and the fragility of familial bonds. The contrast between Elise’s immigrant background and Sheba’s affluent status hints at class and cultural tensions that may unfold. The intimate but ambiguous relationship between the two girls suggests exploration of identity, belonging, and possibly the complexities of friendship or romantic attraction. The tension between anticipation of graduation and the unexpected absence of family members could lead to themes of transition, uncertainty, and resilience. Overall, the chapter lays the groundwork for a narrative rich in emotional complexity and social nuance.

    Quotes

    • 1. “I can’t stay out late tonight, Sheba says. Like, physically speaking, I cannot. My body will revolt.”

      This quote early in the chapter sets a tone of physical and emotional limits that contrast with the night’s social expectations. It highlights Sheba’s fragile state and foreshadows tensions between appearance and reality.

      2. “Sheba places a hand on Elise’s collarbone and snakes her torso to the music. Elise mirrors her moves, mesmerized by the copied dresses skimming at their thighs… It feels good for Elise to feel like Sheba, for Sheba to feel like Elise.”

      This passage captures the intimate, almost symbiotic relationship between the two characters, emphasizing themes of identity, belonging, and transformation through shared experience. It is a vivid, sensory moment that reveals their complex connection despite differences.

      3. “I can’t find Mom… I’m still on Nantucket, Sophie says. She never came to the boat.”

      This quote marks a pivotal turning point in the chapter, introducing a sudden crisis that disrupts the expected narrative of family reunion and graduation celebration. It conveys a growing sense of anxiety and uncertainty.

      4. “Our boat left, and then the next one left. After a while I called Mr. Wagner and asked for a ride, thinking maybe she’d gone home.”

      This detail deepens the mystery around the mother’s absence and underscores the emotional isolation and confusion experienced by the family members. It reinforces themes of abandonment and disconnection within familial bonds.

    Quotes

    1. “I can’t stay out late tonight, Sheba says. Like, physically speaking, I cannot. My body will revolt.”

    This quote early in the chapter sets a tone of physical and emotional limits that contrast with the night’s social expectations. It highlights Sheba’s fragile state and foreshadows tensions between appearance and reality.

    2. “Sheba places a hand on Elise’s collarbone and snakes her torso to the music. Elise mirrors her moves, mesmerized by the copied dresses skimming at their thighs… It feels good for Elise to feel like Sheba, for Sheba to feel like Elise.”

    This passage captures the intimate, almost symbiotic relationship between the two characters, emphasizing themes of identity, belonging, and transformation through shared experience. It is a vivid, sensory moment that reveals their complex connection despite differences.

    3. “I can’t find Mom… I’m still on Nantucket, Sophie says. She never came to the boat.”

    This quote marks a pivotal turning point in the chapter, introducing a sudden crisis that disrupts the expected narrative of family reunion and graduation celebration. It conveys a growing sense of anxiety and uncertainty.

    4. “Our boat left, and then the next one left. After a while I called Mr. Wagner and asked for a ride, thinking maybe she’d gone home.”

    This detail deepens the mystery around the mother’s absence and underscores the emotional isolation and confusion experienced by the family members. It reinforces themes of abandonment and disconnection within familial bonds.

    FAQs

    1. How does the chapter establish the relationship dynamics between Elise and Sheba through their actions and interactions?

    Answer:
    The chapter portrays Elise and Sheba as closely intertwined, despite their differences in background and personality. Their relationship is established through intimate, almost symbiotic actions—Sheba borrows a dress identical to Elise’s, and they mirror each other’s dance moves at the party. The exchange of the eyeshadow compact and the moment where Sheba places Elise’s finger in her mouth illustrate a deep, physical closeness and a merging of identities. The description highlights their contrast—Sheba as the Heiress with pale skin and distinct features, Elise as the Child of Immigrants with a softer complexion—yet they share a sense of connection and mutual understanding. This dynamic suggests a complex friendship that blurs boundaries of individuality and social identity.

    2. What role does the setting play in the mood and themes introduced in this chapter?

    Answer:
    The setting alternates between the dorm room, the party, and the impending graduation day, each contributing to the chapter’s mood and thematic undertones. The dorm room, with an open window letting in “tranquil air,” creates an intimate, almost serene backdrop that contrasts with the vibrant, psychedelic party scene where music by Robyn, Frank Ocean, and LCD Soundsystem blares. This juxtaposition reflects themes of transition, identity, and social belonging. The night before graduation symbolizes a liminal space—a threshold between past and future, youth and adulthood. The tension between anticipation (the family’s journey to graduation) and uncertainty (Elise’s mother’s disappearance) underlines themes of family, responsibility, and the unknown.

    3. How does the chapter use the motif of communication, or lack thereof, to create tension?

    Answer:
    Communication, and its failure, is a central motif that builds tension throughout the chapter. Elise repeatedly tries to contact her mother and sister via text, but receives no replies, creating an anxious atmosphere. The unanswered messages and dead phone battery during the party exacerbate this uncertainty. Sophie’s frantic calls the next morning reveal that Elise’s mother never arrived for the graduation, heightening the sense of worry and mystery. This motif emphasizes themes of connection and disconnection within families and friendships. It also reflects the vulnerability of relying on technology for communication and the emotional impact when those connections break down at critical moments.

    4. In what ways does the chapter explore the theme of identity, particularly through the characters of Elise and Sheba?

    Answer:
    The chapter explores identity by contrasting and blending Elise’s and Sheba’s backgrounds, appearances, and social roles. Elise is described as the Child of Immigrants with a “soft, easy body” and a complexion like “oversteeped chamomile tea,” whereas Sheba is the Heiress with “milk-white skin” and “dandelion-seed hair.” Despite no common history or many shared interests, they adopt each other’s styles and mannerisms—wearing identical dresses, sharing makeup, and dancing in sync—signifying an intimate exchange of identity. This fluidity suggests a search for self-definition through interpersonal connection, highlighting how identity can be both individual and relational. The chapter thus raises questions about authenticity, performance, and the influence of social and cultural backgrounds on personal identity.

    5. Considering the unfolding events and character interactions, what potential conflicts or themes might develop in the story based on this chapter?

    Answer:
    This chapter sets up several potential conflicts and themes. The sudden disappearance of Elise’s mother introduces a family crisis that could explore themes of responsibility, loss, and the fragility of familial bonds. The contrast between Elise’s immigrant background and Sheba’s affluent status hints at class and cultural tensions that may unfold. The intimate but ambiguous relationship between the two girls suggests exploration of identity, belonging, and possibly the complexities of friendship or romantic attraction. The tension between anticipation of graduation and the unexpected absence of family members could lead to themes of transition, uncertainty, and resilience. Overall, the chapter lays the groundwork for a narrative rich in emotional complexity and social nuance.

    Note