Waiting

• Book: Waiting by Ha Jin  pp. 190 – 199 — Part Two: Chapters 11 and 12

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Chapter 11:

• What does Lin notice about Manna when he returns? Why do you think she tells him she is fine?
• Track the narrator’s descriptions and Lin’s reactions when Manna finally tells him about the rape. What does the motif of birds add to the scene?
• Why does Lin say, “I should’ve taken precautions after he said a heart was just a chunk of flesh” on p. 192? What does he think he should have realized?
• Why does Manna blame Lin? Why does Lin blame himself? How do you feel about Lin’s reaction? Does it make you think more highly or more negatively about him? Why?
• Lin and Manna are constantly concerned about their reputations and others’ opinions. How does this issue appear on pp. 192–194? What do they lose in spending so much time worrying about appearances?
• Do you think they can protect Manna’s reputation this time? Why or why not? Why is it significant that the rape was not her fault and yet it might be hard to protect her reputation?
• What is the significance of the fruit motif at the end of the chapter?

Chapter 12:

• What does Mrs. Su mean when she yells “self-delivery” at Manna on p. 195? What does the character of Mrs. Su represent? How do her insults impact Manna?
• How does the leak of information about her rape affect Manna’s friendship with Haiyan? Her relationship with Lin?
• How does the author further develop the idea of fate on p. 198? Do you agree with Manna that she has no choice but to wait for Lin now? Is her free will gone?
• What conclusions are Manna and Lin drawing about their fate as a couple in this chapter? What evidence shows this?
• “As time slipped by, people grew oblivious to the origin of the rule, as though it were a sacred decree whose authenticity no one would dare question.” What is the author describing with this sentence on p. 198? What might also be the larger significance of this line? 
• On pp. 198–199, the narrator offers descriptions of Manna and Lin in contrast with other characters. What is the narrator emphasizing?
• What do we learn will finally happen in 1984?

While the target tasks focus on the idea of happiness, discontent, and waiting, these chapters also lend themselves to discussions of fate as well as loyalty and reputation. The teacher should decide, based on discussions, data, etc., which thematic topic(s) to emphasize in addition.