Waiting

• Book: Waiting by Ha Jin  pp. 71 – 80 — Part One: Chapters 8 and 9

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Chapter 8:

• The narrator shares Lin’s internal dialogue on pp. 71–72. What does this dialogue reveal about Lin’s internal conflict? About his character in general?
• How does the use of the word “rational” on p. 72 add to the development of his internal conflict?
• Does Lin act rationally in his dream? How does Lin’s more-rational self respond to his dream when he awakes?
• Why do Lin’s roommates laugh at him? What does it reveal about their opinions of Lin?
• Is Lin too rational? Is his lack of passion/discomfort with passion normal? How does it impact his ability to love and be part of a committed, loving relationship?
• What is love according to Lin? What is the author’s tone? Does he seem to agree with Lin or not?

Chapter 9:

• The author continues to show the reader Lin’s internal struggles in Chapter 9. Track this throughout the chapter.
• How does his father’s death impact Lin according to the narrator on pp. 76–77? Explain.
• Explain what the narrator means by Lin’s “feelings of guilt mixed with compassion” for Shuyu.
• How does the section chief’s death impact Manna’s feelings about her relationship with Lin? Explain.
• Describe Lin and Manna’s difference of opinion on p. 78.
• How do Manna and Lin each respond to the conflict between them? Track diction, dialogue, physical descriptions, thoughts, etc. What do these reactions suggest about the ways in which the two characters are different?
• What has Manna been waiting for? How does Lin feel about having kept her waiting according to p. 79?
• How does the idea of love make Lin feel? What makes him feel better?
• Possible Discussion Question: “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” These words were written by Lord Alfred Tennyson. What do they mean? Would Lin agree or disagree with them? How do you know?