Waiting

• Book: Waiting by Ha Jin  pp. 151 – 159 — Part Two: Chapter 6

• Poem: “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman 

“Song of Myself”: Section 1

• “I celebrate myself…” Whitman is celebrating himself and each of us and is inviting himself (he is the speaker in this poem) to sit around and observe a blade of grass. 
• What do these stanzas reveal about what Whitman values?
• How do these values compare to the values of Maoist China that we examined yesterday?

Section 3 “I heard what the talkers were talking about…” through “…always a breed of life.”

• What does the speaker (Whitman) believe are the most important parts of life? (live in the now, enjoy life, sex, etc.) 
• How do Whitman’s views on the human urge to procreate compare with Manna and Lin’s decisions and views?
• Compare Whitman’s beliefs on “living in the now” with Manna and Lin’s views on waiting. How is the author using this juxtaposition to reveal theme? 

Section 15 starting with “The pure Contralto...” through “…all I weave the song of myself.”

• Using evidence from this and other sections of the poem, what conclusions can we draw about Whitman’s opinions on the value of the individual? What evidence can you use to support your answer?

Chapter 6:

• On p. 152, Lin is wondering why he is so content and not jealous of Commissar Wei. “His answer to the questions and doubts was that he was a better-educated man, reasonable and gentle, different from those animals driven by lust and selfishness.” Do you agree with Lin’s assessment of himself? Why or why not?
• On p. 153, Lin assumes it must be a “good, healthy book” or the Commissar would not have given it to Manna. Do you agree? What other motivation might he have had?
• What do Lin’s discomforts with the book and decisions about what to focus the report on highlight about his character?
• “The symbol of the grass was hard to elaborate…he did not have ready prepared language for it…” What does this line reveal about Lin? About China? What is its significance?
• On p. 155 the narrator shares that “the relationship would not be an ideal one, not based on love or made in her heart.” How does this help develop theme?
• As in Whitman’s poem, Manna brings up the idea of procreation on p. 156. Compare Whitman’s, Manna’s and Lin’s ideas about procreation.
• What does the bicycle represent on p. 157? How do we know? “The wheels go where your eyes go.” (This is profound! What is Lin saying here to Manna? Does he follow his own advice? Also analyze Mrs. Su’s comment here. Why does Manna laugh? The teacher could choose to introduce the term “double entendre”).
• p. 159: “Probably it was already too late not to wait.” Explain.

• Students should read “Song of Myself” at the beginning of class or for homework the previous night. The teacher may choose to use all three recommended sections or choose amongst the three. If only reading one section, we would recommend reading section 1.
• Students may need to answer a target task or complete the reading of the chapter at home.