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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 III: The Main House Chapter 12

    by Burnham, Gabriella

    In Chap­ter 12 of Part III: The Main House, the nar­ra­tive opens with Elise observ­ing the nat­ur­al world around her, as birds pre­pare for migra­tion and she con­tem­plates the pas­sage of time through the sand slip­ping from her hands. She reflects on her daugh­ter Sophie’s jour­ney to San Fran­cis­co, imag­in­ing her air­borne and cap­tur­ing moments through pho­tographs. Elise’s deep mater­nal con­cern is pal­pa­ble as she recalls prepar­ing Sophie’s sand­wich and watch­ing her dis­ap­pear beyond the airport’s secu­ri­ty, her heart bur­dened with a mix of long­ing and hope. This scene estab­lish­es a poignant atmos­phere of dis­tance and antic­i­pa­tion.

    Elise’s desire to con­nect extends beyond Sophie; she attempts to reach her moth­er, Gil­da, by phone, but the con­nec­tion fails repeat­ed­ly. Her text mes­sage, “Mãe, estou indo” (“Mom, I’m com­ing for you”), sym­bol­izes a yearn­ing for reunion and rec­on­cil­i­a­tion, under­scor­ing themes of famil­ial bonds and the chal­lenges of com­mu­ni­ca­tion over phys­i­cal and emo­tion­al dis­tances. The failed attempts to con­tact Gil­da reflect the bar­ri­ers that exist with­in their rela­tion­ships, ampli­fy­ing Elise’s soli­tude and deter­mi­na­tion.

    Mean­while, the chap­ter shifts to Gilda’s set­ting in Ati­ba­ia, where she shares a warm, inti­mate meal with her sis­ter Beth and Manuel, who brings a sense of tra­di­tion and close­ness through his gift of a well-loved book and a toast to togeth­er­ness. This domes­tic scene con­trasts with Elise’s iso­la­tion, reveal­ing Gilda’s own qui­et world and hint­ing at her character’s gen­tle nature and vul­ner­a­bil­i­ties. The jux­ta­po­si­tion high­lights the par­al­lel lives of moth­er and daugh­ter, sep­a­rat­ed yet con­nect­ed by love and unspo­ken emo­tions.

    The chap­ter clos­es with a metaphor­i­cal moment as Elise watch­es birds take flight and gazes at her reflec­tion in the ocean’s shift­ing sur­face, see­ing an image that is both famil­iar and elu­sive. This imagery evokes themes of change, iden­ti­ty, and the fleet­ing nature of time and con­nec­tion. The final wave eras­ing her reflec­tion sig­ni­fies uncer­tain­ty and the ephemer­al qual­i­ty of human expe­ri­ence, leav­ing the read­er with a con­tem­pla­tive mood about the char­ac­ters’ inter­twined jour­neys and the wait­ing that defines their lives.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does the imagery of birds and the ocean in the chapter symbolize Elise’s emotional state and her situation?

      Answer:
      The imagery of birds ready to migrate and the ocean waves reflects Elise’s feelings of transition, longing, and separation. The birds, described as “grown, plump and gray-feathered, ready to fly for the Gulf of Mexico,” symbolize impending departure and the natural pull of distant places, mirroring Sophie’s journey to San Francisco and Elise’s emotional readiness to follow. The ocean, with its tides stirring and receding around Elise’s ankles, represents the flow of time and change. When Elise sees her reflection in the water, only for it to vanish with the next wave, it suggests the ephemeral nature of identity and the uncertainty of her future. Together, these elements evoke a mood of waiting and yearning, emphasizing Elise’s internal struggle with distance, connection, and the passage of time.

      2. What does Elise’s failed attempt to contact her mother reveal about their relationship and the themes of communication in the chapter?

      Answer:
      Elise’s unsuccessful efforts to reach her mother, Gilda, by phone and text highlight a significant emotional and physical distance between them. Despite Elise’s earnest desire to announce her visit (“Mãe, estou indo” / “I’m coming for you”), the failure of the message to send symbolizes barriers in their communication—both technological and relational. Meanwhile, Gilda is shown happily engaged with family at home, unaware of Elise’s attempts, which deepens the sense of disconnect. This contrast underscores themes of longing, missed connections, and the fragility of familial bonds. The chapter suggests that communication is not only about messages sent but also about being present and receptive, and the absence of this mutual presence intensifies Elise’s feelings of isolation and hope.

      3. How does the depiction of Gilda’s family scene contribute to the chapter’s exploration of closeness and distance?

      Answer:
      Gilda’s family scene—sharing a meal with Beth and Manuel, receiving a cherished book from her father, and partaking in a toast “to closeness”—serves as a poignant counterpoint to Elise’s solitude on the beach. This warm, intimate domestic moment highlights what Elise is missing: a sense of belonging and immediate familial connection. Manuel’s toast and the preparation of a family meal symbolize togetherness and support, emphasizing the emotional warmth that contrasts sharply with Elise’s isolation and failed attempts at contact. This juxtaposition deepens the chapter’s exploration of physical and emotional distances within family relationships, suggesting that proximity and connection are not guaranteed but must be nurtured and that distance can both strain and define familial love.

      4. In what ways does the chapter use the motif of waiting, and how does it affect the reader’s understanding of Elise’s character?

      Answer:
      The motif of waiting permeates the chapter, from the title “Wait” to Elise’s physical presence on the beach, her anticipation of Sophie’s arrival, and her stalled attempts to communicate with her mother. This waiting is both literal and metaphorical, reflecting Elise’s suspended state between past and future, action and inaction. It reveals her vulnerability, patience, and hope, as she tries to “train time” with her “hourglass hands,” illustrating her desire to control or slow the passage of time amid uncertainty. For the reader, this motif deepens empathy for Elise, portraying her as a character caught in emotional limbo—longing for connection yet confronted with silence and delay. The waiting underscores themes of anticipation, loss, and the human need for reassurance and presence.

      5. What significance does the gift of the book Love in the Time of Cholera hold in the context of Gilda’s family dynamics and the chapter’s themes?

      Answer:
      The gift of Gabriel García Márquez’s Love in the Time of Cholera from Gilda’s father is rich with symbolic meaning. The novel, renowned for its exploration of enduring love amidst hardship and time’s passage, parallels the chapter’s themes of longing, patience, and the complexities of familial and romantic relationships. The father’s repeated reading of the book and his “inquisitive soul” suggest a deep emotional sensitivity and a hope for connection despite life’s jaggedness. This gift acts as a tangible expression of love and continuity within Gilda’s family, contrasting with Elise’s fractured communication and emotional distance. It underscores the chapter’s meditation on how love persists even when challenged by separation, silence, and the passage of time.

    Quotes

    • 1. “She imagines Sophie sitting in her window seat on the airplane, clicking photographs of the white clouds beneath the wing. Elise had given her a cheddar-and-avocado sandwich for the overnight flight before she went through airport security, and waited until she could no longer see her beyond the metal detector, her heart so full it felt too heavy.”

      This quote captures Elise’s deep emotional connection and protective love for Sophie, highlighting themes of separation and the weight of impending distance. It sets the tone of anticipation and longing that permeates the chapter.

      2. “I should call my mom, she thinks. I want to tell her I’m coming to see her. I want to go to Brazil to study pink dolphins in the Amazon River. I want to meet my family.”

      Here, Elise’s internal desire for connection and exploration is revealed, marking a pivotal moment where personal ambition and familial longing intersect. This passage underscores the chapter’s exploration of identity, belonging, and unspoken yearning.

      3. “Mãe, estou indo. I’m coming for you.”

      This brief, poignant message from Elise to her mother encapsulates the chapter’s core emotional drive—hope for reunion and the urgency of bridging distance. The failed attempt to send the message symbolizes the obstacles between them and the fragility of communication.

      4. “What does it mean that Gilda hasn’t sensed her daughter calling out from the beach, trying to reach her? A bird perches on a branch of driftwood and propels forward, frictionless, over the sea. One follows, then another, until Elise is left alone on a stretch of sand.”

      This passage metaphorically explores themes of missed connection and isolation, emphasizing the emotional gap between mother and daughter. The imagery of birds flying away mirrors the fading opportunity for contact and the loneliness that ensues.

      5. “For once, she sees something: a face, hers, older, still young. For once, she sees something, but then another wave comes, and she’s gone.”

      The concluding reflection is a powerful meditation on identity, time, and impermanence. Elise’s fleeting vision of herself suggests both self-awareness and the transient nature of existence, leaving the reader with a resonant sense of mystery and transformation.

    Quotes

    1. “She imagines Sophie sitting in her window seat on the airplane, clicking photographs of the white clouds beneath the wing. Elise had given her a cheddar-and-avocado sandwich for the overnight flight before she went through airport security, and waited until she could no longer see her beyond the metal detector, her heart so full it felt too heavy.”

    This quote captures Elise’s deep emotional connection and protective love for Sophie, highlighting themes of separation and the weight of impending distance. It sets the tone of anticipation and longing that permeates the chapter.

    2. “I should call my mom, she thinks. I want to tell her I’m coming to see her. I want to go to Brazil to study pink dolphins in the Amazon River. I want to meet my family.”

    Here, Elise’s internal desire for connection and exploration is revealed, marking a pivotal moment where personal ambition and familial longing intersect. This passage underscores the chapter’s exploration of identity, belonging, and unspoken yearning.

    3. “Mãe, estou indo. I’m coming for you.”

    This brief, poignant message from Elise to her mother encapsulates the chapter’s core emotional drive—hope for reunion and the urgency of bridging distance. The failed attempt to send the message symbolizes the obstacles between them and the fragility of communication.

    4. “What does it mean that Gilda hasn’t sensed her daughter calling out from the beach, trying to reach her? A bird perches on a branch of driftwood and propels forward, frictionless, over the sea. One follows, then another, until Elise is left alone on a stretch of sand.”

    This passage metaphorically explores themes of missed connection and isolation, emphasizing the emotional gap between mother and daughter. The imagery of birds flying away mirrors the fading opportunity for contact and the loneliness that ensues.

    5. “For once, she sees something: a face, hers, older, still young. For once, she sees something, but then another wave comes, and she’s gone.”

    The concluding reflection is a powerful meditation on identity, time, and impermanence. Elise’s fleeting vision of herself suggests both self-awareness and the transient nature of existence, leaving the reader with a resonant sense of mystery and transformation.

    FAQs

    1. How does the imagery of birds and the ocean in the chapter symbolize Elise’s emotional state and her situation?

    Answer:
    The imagery of birds ready to migrate and the ocean waves reflects Elise’s feelings of transition, longing, and separation. The birds, described as “grown, plump and gray-feathered, ready to fly for the Gulf of Mexico,” symbolize impending departure and the natural pull of distant places, mirroring Sophie’s journey to San Francisco and Elise’s emotional readiness to follow. The ocean, with its tides stirring and receding around Elise’s ankles, represents the flow of time and change. When Elise sees her reflection in the water, only for it to vanish with the next wave, it suggests the ephemeral nature of identity and the uncertainty of her future. Together, these elements evoke a mood of waiting and yearning, emphasizing Elise’s internal struggle with distance, connection, and the passage of time.

    2. What does Elise’s failed attempt to contact her mother reveal about their relationship and the themes of communication in the chapter?

    Answer:
    Elise’s unsuccessful efforts to reach her mother, Gilda, by phone and text highlight a significant emotional and physical distance between them. Despite Elise’s earnest desire to announce her visit (“Mãe, estou indo” / “I’m coming for you”), the failure of the message to send symbolizes barriers in their communication—both technological and relational. Meanwhile, Gilda is shown happily engaged with family at home, unaware of Elise’s attempts, which deepens the sense of disconnect. This contrast underscores themes of longing, missed connections, and the fragility of familial bonds. The chapter suggests that communication is not only about messages sent but also about being present and receptive, and the absence of this mutual presence intensifies Elise’s feelings of isolation and hope.

    3. How does the depiction of Gilda’s family scene contribute to the chapter’s exploration of closeness and distance?

    Answer:
    Gilda’s family scene—sharing a meal with Beth and Manuel, receiving a cherished book from her father, and partaking in a toast “to closeness”—serves as a poignant counterpoint to Elise’s solitude on the beach. This warm, intimate domestic moment highlights what Elise is missing: a sense of belonging and immediate familial connection. Manuel’s toast and the preparation of a family meal symbolize togetherness and support, emphasizing the emotional warmth that contrasts sharply with Elise’s isolation and failed attempts at contact. This juxtaposition deepens the chapter’s exploration of physical and emotional distances within family relationships, suggesting that proximity and connection are not guaranteed but must be nurtured and that distance can both strain and define familial love.

    4. In what ways does the chapter use the motif of waiting, and how does it affect the reader’s understanding of Elise’s character?

    Answer:
    The motif of waiting permeates the chapter, from the title “Wait” to Elise’s physical presence on the beach, her anticipation of Sophie’s arrival, and her stalled attempts to communicate with her mother. This waiting is both literal and metaphorical, reflecting Elise’s suspended state between past and future, action and inaction. It reveals her vulnerability, patience, and hope, as she tries to “train time” with her “hourglass hands,” illustrating her desire to control or slow the passage of time amid uncertainty. For the reader, this motif deepens empathy for Elise, portraying her as a character caught in emotional limbo—longing for connection yet confronted with silence and delay. The waiting underscores themes of anticipation, loss, and the human need for reassurance and presence.

    5. What significance does the gift of the book Love in the Time of Cholera hold in the context of Gilda’s family dynamics and the chapter’s themes?

    Answer:
    The gift of Gabriel García Márquez’s Love in the Time of Cholera from Gilda’s father is rich with symbolic meaning. The novel, renowned for its exploration of enduring love amidst hardship and time’s passage, parallels the chapter’s themes of longing, patience, and the complexities of familial and romantic relationships. The father’s repeated reading of the book and his “inquisitive soul” suggest a deep emotional sensitivity and a hope for connection despite life’s jaggedness. This gift acts as a tangible expression of love and continuity within Gilda’s family, contrasting with Elise’s fractured communication and emotional distance. It underscores the chapter’s meditation on how love persists even when challenged by separation, silence, and the passage of time.

    Note