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    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 5

    by Burnham, Gabriella

    In Chap­ter 5 of Part I: Home, the nar­ra­tive cen­ters around Elise and Sophie nav­i­gat­ing the emo­tion­al and social com­plex­i­ties of Sophie’s high school grad­u­a­tion day. Amidst a crowd­ed hall­way filled with grad­u­ates in blue caps and gowns, Elise finds Sophie with­drawn and hes­i­tant about join­ing the after-par­ty. Despite encour­age­ment from the Wag­n­ers, who have been qui­et­ly sup­port­ive through­out, Sophie’s ambiva­lence under­scores the bit­ter­sweet nature of the occa­sion. A brief video call with their friend Gil­da, cur­rent­ly far away in Ati­ba­ia, adds a lay­er of dis­tance and long­ing, empha­siz­ing the frac­tured con­nec­tions that shape their present expe­ri­ence.

    As they move to the after-par­ty under the white tent on the foot­ball field, the atmos­phere con­trasts sharply with Sophie’s inter­nal con­flict. Sur­round­ed by cel­e­bra­to­ry food and casu­al small talk, Elise con­tem­plates the unusu­al fam­i­ly dynam­ic they share with the Wag­n­ers, feel­ing a sub­tle dis­com­fort in the assumed roles and attach­ments. Sophie’s ear­ly depar­ture from the event reflects her strug­gle to embrace the typ­i­cal rites of pas­sage, reveal­ing her sense of iso­la­tion and the weight of her cir­cum­stances, includ­ing the absence of their moth­er and the uncer­tain future ahead.

    The dri­ve home intro­duces prac­ti­cal chal­lenges that mir­ror the emo­tion­al ten­sion of the day. Elise’s dif­fi­cul­ty start­ing the car at a busy inter­sec­tion, com­pound­ed by the impa­tient reac­tions of oth­er dri­vers and onlook­ers, sym­bol­izes the obsta­cles they face in mov­ing for­ward. Sophie’s encour­age­ment and the pres­ence of the Wag­n­ers’ vehi­cle near­by offer sup­port, yet Elise’s appre­hen­sion and deter­mi­na­tion to get home safe­ly cap­ture the frag­ile bal­ance between hope and hard­ship in their lives. The jour­ney home becomes a metaphor for nav­i­gat­ing an uncer­tain path with resilience.

    Once home, the sis­ters’ inter­ac­tion reveals the lin­ger­ing impact of their loss and the ten­ta­tive steps toward heal­ing. Sophie’s retreat to their mother’s bed­room and her stained sweater sug­gest a grasp­ing for com­fort in famil­iar but painful sur­round­ings, while Elise’s con­cern about the future of their house high­lights the prac­ti­cal real­i­ties they must con­front. The chap­ter clos­es on a note of qui­et reflec­tion, with Elise pon­der­ing their next steps, cap­tur­ing the com­plex inter­play of grief, respon­si­bil­i­ty, and the search for sta­bil­i­ty that defines their cur­rent exis­tence.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does the scene at the high school graduation party illustrate the emotional and social challenges Sophie and Elise are experiencing?

      Answer:
      The graduation party scene highlights both emotional and social difficulties faced by Sophie and Elise. Sophie is hesitant to attend the party, expressing a desire to go home instead, which suggests her ambivalence and possible grief. Elise’s interaction with the Wagners and the subtle distance she maintains when Mrs. Wagner tries to fix her collar tag indicates a feeling of not fully belonging or being fully accepted. Furthermore, Sophie’s comment about being “the orphan girl who isn’t going to college” reveals her internalized stigma and social anxiety. The awkwardness of carrying their mother via video call during the diploma ceremony also underscores their emotional burden, showing how their loss colors what should be a celebratory occasion.

      2. What role does the technology (cellphone video call) play in this chapter, and what does it reveal about the family’s situation?

      Answer:
      Technology acts as both a bridge and a barrier in this chapter. Elise uses a cellphone video call to include their mother in the graduation ceremony, symbolizing an attempt to maintain family connection despite physical absence. However, the shaky camera, poor signal, and the challenge of moderating volume illustrate the limitations of this connection, emphasizing the mother’s separation and the family’s fractured state. This use of technology reveals both the reliance on digital means to sustain relationships and the emotional strain caused by their mother’s absence or condition, highlighting the intersection of grief and modern communication.

      3. Analyze the significance of the car stalling incident in the broader context of the chapter’s themes.

      Answer:
      The car stalling incident is a metaphor for Elise’s struggle to navigate newfound responsibilities and challenges. Driving the car, especially in a stressful situation with impatient drivers watching, symbolizes her attempt to take control of her life amid uncertainty. The stalling and the need for perseverance reflect the difficulties she faces in moving forward after their mother’s disappearance or loss. Sophie’s encouragement and Elise’s eventual success in making the turn reinforce themes of resilience and mutual support. This moment also highlights the vulnerability and pressure felt by both sisters as they transition into adulthood and take on roles that were previously managed by their parents.

      4. How do Sophie and Elise’s attitudes toward the future differ, and what does this suggest about their coping mechanisms?

      Answer:
      Sophie expresses a sense of defeat and social isolation, calling herself “the orphan girl who isn’t going to college,” which reflects her feelings of loss and uncertainty about her future. She seems resigned to a less traditional path and may be struggling with self-worth. Elise, on the other hand, adopts a more pragmatic and hopeful stance, encouraging Sophie by pointing out her intelligence and the option to work before applying to college, framing it as a viable and respectable choice. This contrast suggests that Sophie is coping through withdrawal and pessimism, while Elise copes by focusing on practical steps and maintaining optimism. Their differing attitudes highlight the varied ways individuals process trauma and plan for uncertain futures.

      5. What does the chapter suggest about the significance of “home” and belonging for the characters, especially in light of their mother’s absence?

      Answer:
      The chapter subtly explores the concept of “home” as both a physical space and an emotional anchor. Sophie’s reluctance to attend the party and her choice to sleep in their mother’s bed indicate a deep longing for comfort and connection to their mother’s presence. Elise’s question about what to do with the house underscores the uncertainty surrounding their future and the meaning of their inherited home. The home is depicted as a repository of memories and loss, a place where grief is tangible. Their interactions with others, like the Wagners and the other graduates, contrast with the intimacy and complexity of their private lives, emphasizing that home is both a refuge and a site of unresolved emotions.

    Quotes

    • 1. “You only graduate high school once. Well, if you’re lucky.”

      This quote, spoken by Mrs. Wagner during the graduation after-party invitation, poignantly captures the fragility and rarity of milestone moments in life. It underscores a subtle tension in the chapter between celebration and loss, setting the tone for the characters’ mixed emotions.

      2. “Yeah, and I’ll forever be known as the orphan girl who isn’t going to college, Sophie says, tossing the sunflowers and her yearbook into the back seat.”

      Sophie’s self-description reveals her internalized stigma and feelings of defeat, highlighting the chapter’s exploration of identity, grief, and societal expectations. It marks a turning point where the weight of loss and future uncertainty becomes explicit.

      3. “You’re smarter than Tommy O’Connell, Elise says. And you’re not an orphan. You’re going to work for a bit, make a lot of money this summer, and apply next round. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

      Elise’s reassurance offers a message of hope and resilience amidst adversity. This quote represents a key argument in the chapter about redefining success and embracing alternative paths forward after trauma.

      4. “You know the cops will pull you over for that, Sophie says. Yes, I know, Sophie. But if you want to make it home we’re going to have to take some shortcuts.”

      This exchange during the car’s stalled turn is a metaphor for the necessity of bending rules and taking risks to navigate difficult circumstances. It encapsulates the chapter’s underlying theme of perseverance under pressure.

      5. “What are we going to do with this house? she says after a moment, seated behind Sophie at the kitchen table.”

      The closing line introduces a moment of practical reckoning and foreshadows decisions to come. It symbolizes the tangible challenges the characters face in the aftermath of loss, grounding the emotional narrative in real-world consequences.

    Quotes

    1. “You only graduate high school once. Well, if you’re lucky.”

    This quote, spoken by Mrs. Wagner during the graduation after-party invitation, poignantly captures the fragility and rarity of milestone moments in life. It underscores a subtle tension in the chapter between celebration and loss, setting the tone for the characters’ mixed emotions.

    2. “Yeah, and I’ll forever be known as the orphan girl who isn’t going to college, Sophie says, tossing the sunflowers and her yearbook into the back seat.”

    Sophie’s self-description reveals her internalized stigma and feelings of defeat, highlighting the chapter’s exploration of identity, grief, and societal expectations. It marks a turning point where the weight of loss and future uncertainty becomes explicit.

    3. “You’re smarter than Tommy O’Connell, Elise says. And you’re not an orphan. You’re going to work for a bit, make a lot of money this summer, and apply next round. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

    Elise’s reassurance offers a message of hope and resilience amidst adversity. This quote represents a key argument in the chapter about redefining success and embracing alternative paths forward after trauma.

    4. “You know the cops will pull you over for that, Sophie says. Yes, I know, Sophie. But if you want to make it home we’re going to have to take some shortcuts.”

    This exchange during the car’s stalled turn is a metaphor for the necessity of bending rules and taking risks to navigate difficult circumstances. It encapsulates the chapter’s underlying theme of perseverance under pressure.

    5. “What are we going to do with this house? she says after a moment, seated behind Sophie at the kitchen table.”

    The closing line introduces a moment of practical reckoning and foreshadows decisions to come. It symbolizes the tangible challenges the characters face in the aftermath of loss, grounding the emotional narrative in real-world consequences.

    FAQs

    1. How does the scene at the high school graduation party illustrate the emotional and social challenges Sophie and Elise are experiencing?

    Answer:
    The graduation party scene highlights both emotional and social difficulties faced by Sophie and Elise. Sophie is hesitant to attend the party, expressing a desire to go home instead, which suggests her ambivalence and possible grief. Elise’s interaction with the Wagners and the subtle distance she maintains when Mrs. Wagner tries to fix her collar tag indicates a feeling of not fully belonging or being fully accepted. Furthermore, Sophie’s comment about being “the orphan girl who isn’t going to college” reveals her internalized stigma and social anxiety. The awkwardness of carrying their mother via video call during the diploma ceremony also underscores their emotional burden, showing how their loss colors what should be a celebratory occasion.

    2. What role does the technology (cellphone video call) play in this chapter, and what does it reveal about the family’s situation?

    Answer:
    Technology acts as both a bridge and a barrier in this chapter. Elise uses a cellphone video call to include their mother in the graduation ceremony, symbolizing an attempt to maintain family connection despite physical absence. However, the shaky camera, poor signal, and the challenge of moderating volume illustrate the limitations of this connection, emphasizing the mother’s separation and the family’s fractured state. This use of technology reveals both the reliance on digital means to sustain relationships and the emotional strain caused by their mother’s absence or condition, highlighting the intersection of grief and modern communication.

    3. Analyze the significance of the car stalling incident in the broader context of the chapter’s themes.

    Answer:
    The car stalling incident is a metaphor for Elise’s struggle to navigate newfound responsibilities and challenges. Driving the car, especially in a stressful situation with impatient drivers watching, symbolizes her attempt to take control of her life amid uncertainty. The stalling and the need for perseverance reflect the difficulties she faces in moving forward after their mother’s disappearance or loss. Sophie’s encouragement and Elise’s eventual success in making the turn reinforce themes of resilience and mutual support. This moment also highlights the vulnerability and pressure felt by both sisters as they transition into adulthood and take on roles that were previously managed by their parents.

    4. How do Sophie and Elise’s attitudes toward the future differ, and what does this suggest about their coping mechanisms?

    Answer:
    Sophie expresses a sense of defeat and social isolation, calling herself “the orphan girl who isn’t going to college,” which reflects her feelings of loss and uncertainty about her future. She seems resigned to a less traditional path and may be struggling with self-worth. Elise, on the other hand, adopts a more pragmatic and hopeful stance, encouraging Sophie by pointing out her intelligence and the option to work before applying to college, framing it as a viable and respectable choice. This contrast suggests that Sophie is coping through withdrawal and pessimism, while Elise copes by focusing on practical steps and maintaining optimism. Their differing attitudes highlight the varied ways individuals process trauma and plan for uncertain futures.

    5. What does the chapter suggest about the significance of “home” and belonging for the characters, especially in light of their mother’s absence?

    Answer:
    The chapter subtly explores the concept of “home” as both a physical space and an emotional anchor. Sophie’s reluctance to attend the party and her choice to sleep in their mother’s bed indicate a deep longing for comfort and connection to their mother’s presence. Elise’s question about what to do with the house underscores the uncertainty surrounding their future and the meaning of their inherited home. The home is depicted as a repository of memories and loss, a place where grief is tangible. Their interactions with others, like the Wagners and the other graduates, contrast with the intimacy and complexity of their private lives, emphasizing that home is both a refuge and a site of unresolved emotions.

    Note