Part Two
| Chapter 1 | Chapter 7 |
| Chapter 2 | Chapter 8 |
| Chapter 3 | Chapter 9 |
| Chapter 4 | Chapter 10 |
| Chapter 5 | Chapter 11 |
| Chapter 6 | Chapter 12 |
Answer the following questions.
What was Liang Mengís purpose in writing Lin Kong a letter?
How did Lin and Manna feel about Liang Mengís request?
Why did Manna become fractious and aggressive?
ìIt was a painful decision (to introduce Manna to his cousin) on his part, but it was necessary.î Why was it necessary for Lin to find a boyfriend for Manna ?
What was the dilemma Manna had to face, if she married a man from another province?
Do you think Manna and Liang Meng will end up marrying each other?
Discussion Questions
Should Lin find a husband for Manna? Give reasons to support your answer.
What makes a perfect match?
Part 2 Chapter 2
1.In what ways do you think Lin Kong and his cousin, Liang Meng, are alike and/or different ?
2. Describe Liang Meng’s appearance. What’s Manna first impression of his appearance?
3. How did Manna and Lin Kong act during their conversation with Liang Meng about grapes?
4. Where did Manna and Liang Meng agree in order to meet by themselves? Do you think the place is suitable for a date? Explain your answer with a description of the place.
5.What was Liang Meng’s family background? Do you think this is appealing to Manna?
6.How did Manna like Liang Meng’s drawings he showed her?
7.How did these two people feel about each other?
8. How did Manna end the relationship with Liang Meng?
Further Discussion
"In the matter of love, I ought to follow my heart", said Manna. Do you think Manna is right to follow her heart, i.e. to turn down Ling Meng and wait for Lin Kong’s divorce?
Why and how would you end a relationship with someone?
1.Why did the judge suspect Lin Kong’s attempt to divorce?
2.What did the judge require from Lin Kong before proceeding with his case?
3. What happened outside the courtroom, while Lin and Shuyu were talking to the judge? Who was suspected of being involved in the event? Did this have any effect on the case?
4. Why did Lin’s brother, Ren Kong, come to visit Lin?
5. Are the two brothers alike? How?
6. According to Ren Kong, why shouldn’t Lin’s divorce be considered a personal matter? Do you agree with him?
Further Discussion
1. Do you think Bensheng is right when he tries to intervene in his sister’s life?
2. A short article about Lin’s attemted divorce was published in a newspaper the day after Lin had gone to the courtroom (page 125). Suppose you were Lin Kong, write a letter in response to the "Defender of Morality", the writer of the article, expressing your feelings and opinions about your divorce application and the crowd in front of the courtroom.
1. "The Party Committee has been considering Manna Wu as a candidate", said Ran Su. For what was Manna a "candidate" for?
2. Why did Ran Su "burst into a roar of laughter", when Lin named two conditions Commissar Wei was supposed to fulfill if he wanted to marry Manna?
3. Lin felt "upset and angry", (About the nomination of Manna to Commissar Wei) and "relieved" at the same time. Why did he have these feelings?
4. What were the advantages for Manna, if she married Commissar Wei?
Further Discussion
This is the second time Lin agreed to let Manna develop a relationship with another man. Do you agree with him? Would you let someone you love go out with another person?
"You think I enjoy going through this thing? I feel like I’m trying to sell myself." (p. 138) You are Manna’s close friend. Give her some advice on whether she should consider dating Commissar Wei or waiting for Lin Kong.
Why do you think the army had to find a woman for the Commissar? What do you think about this practice? Does this also happen in Thailand?
1. How did Manna feel about Commissar Wei?
2. What made the Commissar become particularly interested in Manna?
3.What book did the Commissar lend Manna? What did she have to do with the book? Why do you think he did this?
4.Who is Geng Yang? What does he look like? What does Manna think about him?
5.According to Geng Yang, why was he not moved by the movie?
Further Discussion
Do you like Geng Yang? Why? Why not?
Since her break-up with Mai Dong, there had been three men in Manna’s life, Lin Kong, Liang Meng, and Commissar Wei, who do you think is the most suitable for Manna? Support your answer.
1.Why did Commissar Wei divorce his wife?
2.What did Manna ask Lin to do? Was he willing to help her?
3.What do you think is the importance of Manna’s report?
4.What did Manna do while she waited for the Commissar’s reply? What Happened?
5.Why did Commissar Wei decide to discontinue his relationship with Manna? Do you think it is a good reason?
6.How did Manna and Lin feel about the rejection?
7.How did people react to the news of Manna’s failure?
Further Discussion
1. "Now for better or worse, she preferred to wait for him." Do you think Manna made the right decision?
2. "But what was more fearful than being surrounded by gossiping tongues?" What does this mean? Do you agree with this?
3.Write a letter to Manna, telling her how you feel about what had happened to her.
1.Why couldn’t Lin go back home the following spring?
2.Who was a new patient sharing the room with Lin?
3.How did Lin like Geng Yang?
4.Why did Lin reveal his attempt to get a divorce to Geng Yang?
5.What did Geng Yang suggest to Lin about his relationship with Manna? Did Lin agree?
6.What are Geng Yang’s comments on Lin’s character? Do you agree with them?
7.Why did Manna buy Geng Yang strawberries?
Further Discussion
Do you think Geng Yang is a good friend?
"But what is a heart? Just a chunk of flesh that a dog can eat." What does this mean? Do you agree with this statement?
Discuss the two men’s differences. What are their strengths and weaknesses?
1.What did Geng Yang suggest to Lin and Manna do to obtain a divorce?
2.What are the possible advantages and disadvantages to Lin if he paid a large sum of money to Bensheng?
3.Why did Lin finally not follow Geng Yang’s suggestion?
4.Why didn’t Manna agree to use her money to get Lin’s divorce? How did Lin feel about this?
Further Discussion
Can money buy a divorce?
Do you agree with Geng Yang that money can reverse one’s fortune?
Should lovers reveal the amount of money they have to each other?
Should lovers invest their money in a particular business?
Is Lin right or wrong not to give his money to Bensheng or Shuyu to get his divorce?
Do you have any suggestion for Lin Kong on what he should do?
1.According to Manna, what are the differences between Lin Kong and Geng Yang? Do you have the same opinion?
2.How did Manna feel when Lin was away?
3.Why did Manna go to Geng Yang’s room? What happened to her?
4.Why did Manna not report to the head what had happened to her?
Further Discussion
Manna told you about the rape. Tell her what she should do.
What do you think will happen to Geng Yang?
How to prevent a rape? In Manna’s case, do you think it was avoidable?
1.Who is the first person Manna told about the rape ? Is she right in telling that person? Give reasons for your answer.
2.Why was it impossible to have an abortion, if Manna got pregnant?
3.What was Manna worried about?
4.Why didn’t Manna reply to Lin’s letter?
Further Discussion
Should Manna tell Lin about the rape?
If a woman is raped, whom should she turn to? Should she report it to the police? Explain your answers with some reasons.
Write a letter to Manna, giving her some useful advice what she should do.
1.Describe how Manna’s looks had changed, when Lin met her after his return.
2.What was Lin’s first reaction when he found out about the rape?
3.What did Lin suggest Manna do? Do you agree with his suggestion?
4.According to Lin, why was he partly responsible for the rape ?
5.How did Lin treat Manna after he knew about the rape?
Further Discussion
In your opinion, should Lin blame himself? Who should be blamed most? Who shouldn’t be?
If a woman is raped, should she tell her boyfriend / husband?
1.Why did people know Manna had been raped?
2.After the rape became known how did people treat Manna and Lin?
3.How did the rape affect Manna’s character?
Further Discussion
"It was clear that she had no choice but to wait for Lin wholeheartedly" In your opinion, is this a good reason for Manna to wait for Lin? Explain your answer with some reasons.
Write your own plot for Waiting Part 3. What will happen to Lin Kong, Manna, Shuyu, Hua, Geng Yang, etc.? Who will have a happy and sad ending?