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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 4

    by Burnham, Gabriella

    In Chap­ter 4 of Part III: The Main House, Gil­da informs Elise about the ambigu­ous response from the Unit­ed States Cit­i­zen­ship and Immi­gra­tion Ser­vices regard­ing their request tied to Sophie’s immi­gra­tion sta­tus. The agency requires more evi­dence to prove Sophie’s depen­den­cy on Gil­da, despite Sophie’s strong-willed inde­pen­dence. This bureau­crat­ic demand forces Gil­da and Elise to con­front the dif­fi­cult ques­tion of how a moth­er can for­mal­ly demon­strate the neces­si­ty of her pres­ence in her child’s life. Elise offers to write a sup­port­ing let­ter, high­light­ing the com­plex­i­ty of defin­ing famil­ial bonds through legal cri­te­ria.

    Elise then reveals to Gil­da that she and Sophie are no longer liv­ing in the fam­i­ly house due to evic­tion by their land­lord, who plans to ren­o­vate and sell the prop­er­ty. This dis­clo­sure unset­tles Gil­da, who express­es con­cern over not being informed soon­er, empha­siz­ing her mater­nal respon­si­bil­i­ty to know where her chil­dren reside. The phone con­ver­sa­tion is abrupt­ly end­ed by Steve, who needs to leave for work, leav­ing the sit­u­a­tion unre­solved and ten­sions sim­mer­ing between Elise and Gil­da over com­mu­ni­ca­tion and trust.

    Lat­er, Elise reflects on her dif­fi­cult cir­cum­stances while endur­ing harsh weath­er on the beach, where she works for Steve. Her phys­i­cal dis­com­fort par­al­lels her emo­tion­al tur­moil about hav­ing shared the news with her moth­er and fear­ing Gilda’s dis­ap­point­ment. Return­ing to the house, Elise encoun­ters Sophie, who is wear­ing a wig lent by their friend She­ba. This moment sub­tly under­scores Sophie’s ongo­ing strug­gle with iden­ti­ty and vul­ner­a­bil­i­ty, hint­ing at deep­er emo­tion­al and per­son­al chal­lenges beneath the sur­face of their family’s legal and social strug­gles.

    The chap­ter poignant­ly illus­trates the inter­sect­ing chal­lenges of fam­i­ly loy­al­ty, legal bureau­cra­cy, and per­son­al resilience. Through the inter­ac­tions between Gil­da, Elise, and Sophie, the nar­ra­tive explores the com­plex­i­ties of depen­den­cy, inde­pen­dence, and the emo­tion­al weight car­ried by each char­ac­ter. The ten­sion between insti­tu­tion­al demands and famil­ial love under­scores the broad­er theme of prov­ing one’s worth and con­nec­tion in a world gov­erned by rigid sys­tems and uncer­tain rela­tion­ships.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What is the main complication Gilda faces with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding Sophie, and why is it significant?

      Answer:
      Gilda faces the complication that, in the eyes of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, her daughter Elise no longer counts as her dependent because Elise is twenty-two years old. Only Sophie, who is eighteen, is still considered a dependent. This means Gilda must prove that Sophie’s separation from her mother constitutes too much of a burden, effectively requiring Sophie to demonstrate her dependency on Gilda. This is significant because it challenges the traditional notion of a mother-child relationship and forces the family to navigate bureaucratic requirements that do not align with their lived reality, highlighting the emotional and legal complexities of immigration and family separation.

      2. How does the metaphor of Schrödinger’s cat relate to the communication Gilda shares with Elise about the government’s response?

      Answer:
      The metaphor of Schrödinger’s cat—both alive and dead at once—illustrates the ambiguous and uncertain nature of the government’s response to Gilda’s request. When Gilda says, “I heard back from the government,” the outcome is neither definitively good nor bad; it is suspended in uncertainty because the government needs more information before making a decision. This metaphor effectively conveys the emotional tension and limbo experienced by the characters as they await a resolution that will significantly impact their lives.

      3. Analyze the emotional dynamics between Elise and Gilda during their phone conversation. How do their interactions reveal underlying tensions?

      Answer:
      The phone conversation between Elise and Gilda is fraught with emotional tension and unspoken concerns. Elise hesitates to tell her mother that she and Sophie are no longer living in the main house, indicating fear of disappointing Gilda. Gilda’s reaction is one of concern and disappointment, especially when she emphasizes her role as a mother who needs to know where her daughters are living. The interruption by Steve adds urgency and a sense of fragmentation to their communication. These interactions reveal a strained relationship marked by distance, miscommunication, and the pressure of external circumstances, such as immigration issues and housing instability, which exacerbate familial stress.

      4. What does the scene on the beach with the birds symbolize in relation to Elise’s situation?

      Answer:
      The scene on the beach, where Elise observes two birds bracing against the wind like “calcified rocks,” symbolizes resilience and endurance amidst adversity. The birds’ steadfastness in harsh weather parallels Elise’s own perseverance as she endures physical discomfort and emotional strain to maintain her livelihood. The reference to the self-immolating monk, whose heart remained intact despite his body burning, further underscores themes of inner strength and sacrifice. This symbolism reflects Elise’s determination to survive and support her family despite uncertainty and hardship.

      5. Considering the chapter’s events, how might Elise’s decision to tell Gilda about their living situation impact their family dynamics and the immigration case?

      Answer:
      Elise’s decision to disclose that she and Sophie are no longer living in the main house introduces a new layer of complexity to their family dynamics and the immigration case. It may cause Gilda to feel betrayed or disappointed, as indicated by Elise’s fear of bearing the brunt of that disappointment. This revelation could affect the perceived stability and dependency the immigration authorities require to support Gilda’s case, potentially weakening their position. However, it also opens the door for more honest communication and may prompt the family to confront and address their challenges more directly, which could ultimately strengthen their unity and strategy moving forward.

    Quotes

    • 1. “It is the Schrödinger’s cat of sentences, both alive and dead.”

      This metaphor captures the ambiguous and uncertain nature of the government’s response, setting the tone for the chapter’s exploration of liminality and waiting. It reflects the emotional tension experienced by Gilda and Elise as they confront bureaucratic indifference.

      2. “How does a mother prove her child needs her? Gilda continues. Isn’t that the definition of a child? A child isn’t a child without a mother.”

      This poignant reflection highlights the paradox and emotional complexity of immigration law’s definitions of dependency, emphasizing the painful bureaucratic requirement to prove something inherently obvious—the bond between mother and child.

      3. “Sophie, the defiantly independent daughter, who has spent her teenage years trying to prove she doesn’t need anyone’s help, must now demonstrate her dependency on Gilda.”

      This quote encapsulates a key irony and tension in the chapter: the reversal of roles where independence must now be framed as dependency, underscoring themes of identity, family dynamics, and institutional pressure.

      4. “I need to tell you something important… Sophie and I aren’t living in the house anymore.”

      This turning point reveals a significant change in living circumstances, introducing conflict and emotional stakes that deepen the narrative’s exploration of family, displacement, and survival under pressure.

      5. “No one will disrupt the birds in this weather, she thinks, not even the seagulls. But if she went home, then Steve would have no reason to pay her. This is how she makes a living: by suffering through sand pelting against her skin.”

      This vivid image symbolizes endurance and sacrifice, illustrating Elise’s resilience and the harsh realities she faces. It also metaphorically connects to the broader theme of persistence amid adversity that runs through the chapter.

    Quotes

    1. “It is the Schrödinger’s cat of sentences, both alive and dead.”

    This metaphor captures the ambiguous and uncertain nature of the government’s response, setting the tone for the chapter’s exploration of liminality and waiting. It reflects the emotional tension experienced by Gilda and Elise as they confront bureaucratic indifference.

    2. “How does a mother prove her child needs her? Gilda continues. Isn’t that the definition of a child? A child isn’t a child without a mother.”

    This poignant reflection highlights the paradox and emotional complexity of immigration law’s definitions of dependency, emphasizing the painful bureaucratic requirement to prove something inherently obvious—the bond between mother and child.

    3. “Sophie, the defiantly independent daughter, who has spent her teenage years trying to prove she doesn’t need anyone’s help, must now demonstrate her dependency on Gilda.”

    This quote encapsulates a key irony and tension in the chapter: the reversal of roles where independence must now be framed as dependency, underscoring themes of identity, family dynamics, and institutional pressure.

    4. “I need to tell you something important… Sophie and I aren’t living in the house anymore.”

    This turning point reveals a significant change in living circumstances, introducing conflict and emotional stakes that deepen the narrative’s exploration of family, displacement, and survival under pressure.

    5. “No one will disrupt the birds in this weather, she thinks, not even the seagulls. But if she went home, then Steve would have no reason to pay her. This is how she makes a living: by suffering through sand pelting against her skin.”

    This vivid image symbolizes endurance and sacrifice, illustrating Elise’s resilience and the harsh realities she faces. It also metaphorically connects to the broader theme of persistence amid adversity that runs through the chapter.

    FAQs

    1. What is the main complication Gilda faces with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding Sophie, and why is it significant?

    Answer:
    Gilda faces the complication that, in the eyes of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, her daughter Elise no longer counts as her dependent because Elise is twenty-two years old. Only Sophie, who is eighteen, is still considered a dependent. This means Gilda must prove that Sophie’s separation from her mother constitutes too much of a burden, effectively requiring Sophie to demonstrate her dependency on Gilda. This is significant because it challenges the traditional notion of a mother-child relationship and forces the family to navigate bureaucratic requirements that do not align with their lived reality, highlighting the emotional and legal complexities of immigration and family separation.

    2. How does the metaphor of Schrödinger’s cat relate to the communication Gilda shares with Elise about the government’s response?

    Answer:
    The metaphor of Schrödinger’s cat—both alive and dead at once—illustrates the ambiguous and uncertain nature of the government’s response to Gilda’s request. When Gilda says, “I heard back from the government,” the outcome is neither definitively good nor bad; it is suspended in uncertainty because the government needs more information before making a decision. This metaphor effectively conveys the emotional tension and limbo experienced by the characters as they await a resolution that will significantly impact their lives.

    3. Analyze the emotional dynamics between Elise and Gilda during their phone conversation. How do their interactions reveal underlying tensions?

    Answer:
    The phone conversation between Elise and Gilda is fraught with emotional tension and unspoken concerns. Elise hesitates to tell her mother that she and Sophie are no longer living in the main house, indicating fear of disappointing Gilda. Gilda’s reaction is one of concern and disappointment, especially when she emphasizes her role as a mother who needs to know where her daughters are living. The interruption by Steve adds urgency and a sense of fragmentation to their communication. These interactions reveal a strained relationship marked by distance, miscommunication, and the pressure of external circumstances, such as immigration issues and housing instability, which exacerbate familial stress.

    4. What does the scene on the beach with the birds symbolize in relation to Elise’s situation?

    Answer:
    The scene on the beach, where Elise observes two birds bracing against the wind like “calcified rocks,” symbolizes resilience and endurance amidst adversity. The birds’ steadfastness in harsh weather parallels Elise’s own perseverance as she endures physical discomfort and emotional strain to maintain her livelihood. The reference to the self-immolating monk, whose heart remained intact despite his body burning, further underscores themes of inner strength and sacrifice. This symbolism reflects Elise’s determination to survive and support her family despite uncertainty and hardship.

    5. Considering the chapter’s events, how might Elise’s decision to tell Gilda about their living situation impact their family dynamics and the immigration case?

    Answer:
    Elise’s decision to disclose that she and Sophie are no longer living in the main house introduces a new layer of complexity to their family dynamics and the immigration case. It may cause Gilda to feel betrayed or disappointed, as indicated by Elise’s fear of bearing the brunt of that disappointment. This revelation could affect the perceived stability and dependency the immigration authorities require to support Gilda’s case, potentially weakening their position. However, it also opens the door for more honest communication and may prompt the family to confront and address their challenges more directly, which could ultimately strengthen their unity and strategy moving forward.

    Note