"Approximations"
By: Mona Simpson
Interpretive Questions
1.) Why does Melinda cooperate with her mother’s plan to get her father to buy the television?
Melinda cooperates because she is obeying mom because mom is with her more. Another reason is that she wants to see him.
2.) Why does Melinda’s mother make getting the television the goal of their second visit with Melinda’s father?
The mother wants the television from the father because the father never helps her with things, such as school, rent, and other stuff. The mother never gets anything from the father. The father never helps the mother with anything.
3.) Why is Melinda nervous before she goes down to talk to her father, while her mother is having fun getting her ready?
Melinda doesn't know what to say. Melinda is awkward around him and has short conversations around him. She doesn't want to ruin any relationship they have by demanding something. The mother is having fun getting her ready because part of it is coaching and part of it is using Melinda as a pawn of a chess game.
4.) Why does Melinda think for a “wild moment” of asking for a candy bar, but then tell her father she is saving for the television? (p. 102)
Even though she wants the candy bar and would probably get the candy bar, Melinda doesn't want to disobey her mom. At the end of the day, Melinda is stuck with her mom. Melinda has to answer to her mother. Melinda is sort of stuck in the middle.
5.) Why does Melinda’s mother yell at her and call her “ordinary” after they get back from Disneyland? (p. 103)
Melinda's mother was disappointed that she didn't get the television. The mother was upset that Melinda was awkward and strange around the father, such as always looking down and being slumped. The mother thinks Melinda was acting differently around the father. The reason for that is because Melinda is uncomfortable around her father. Melinda has always being around Jerry and her mother, but not around her father.
6.) Why does Melinda go to Jerry after the fight with her mother?
Jerry is kind of a person that she is comfortable is. Also, Jerry is the only person that cares for Melinda and doesn't want anything from her.
7.) Why does Melinda stop skating after the ice show?
The attention has shifted. Jerry and the mother are interested in each other, not in Melinda.
8.) Why does Melinda decide not to go to the Girl Scout breakfast with Jerry?
Melinda doesn't go because part of it she forgot, part of it is that Jerry is not a replacement as a father, and part of it is having to accept Jerry's love. Melinda is a very confused girl.
9.) When her mother yells at her after their return from Disneyland, why does Melinda remain silent?
Melinda is that she knows that her mom needs to yell and get it out and that part of it is self-reflection. Melinda then responds by running away.
10.) At the end of the story, why does Melinda skate with Jerry even though she thinks of him as “just another man in the world, who had nothing to do with me”? (p. 104)
Melinda has no one else to go to. Also, Jerry is the only one willing to love Melinda.
Melinda cooperates because she is obeying mom because mom is with her more. Another reason is that she wants to see him.
2.) Why does Melinda’s mother make getting the television the goal of their second visit with Melinda’s father?
The mother wants the television from the father because the father never helps her with things, such as school, rent, and other stuff. The mother never gets anything from the father. The father never helps the mother with anything.
3.) Why is Melinda nervous before she goes down to talk to her father, while her mother is having fun getting her ready?
Melinda doesn't know what to say. Melinda is awkward around him and has short conversations around him. She doesn't want to ruin any relationship they have by demanding something. The mother is having fun getting her ready because part of it is coaching and part of it is using Melinda as a pawn of a chess game.
4.) Why does Melinda think for a “wild moment” of asking for a candy bar, but then tell her father she is saving for the television? (p. 102)
Even though she wants the candy bar and would probably get the candy bar, Melinda doesn't want to disobey her mom. At the end of the day, Melinda is stuck with her mom. Melinda has to answer to her mother. Melinda is sort of stuck in the middle.
5.) Why does Melinda’s mother yell at her and call her “ordinary” after they get back from Disneyland? (p. 103)
Melinda's mother was disappointed that she didn't get the television. The mother was upset that Melinda was awkward and strange around the father, such as always looking down and being slumped. The mother thinks Melinda was acting differently around the father. The reason for that is because Melinda is uncomfortable around her father. Melinda has always being around Jerry and her mother, but not around her father.
6.) Why does Melinda go to Jerry after the fight with her mother?
Jerry is kind of a person that she is comfortable is. Also, Jerry is the only person that cares for Melinda and doesn't want anything from her.
7.) Why does Melinda stop skating after the ice show?
The attention has shifted. Jerry and the mother are interested in each other, not in Melinda.
8.) Why does Melinda decide not to go to the Girl Scout breakfast with Jerry?
Melinda doesn't go because part of it she forgot, part of it is that Jerry is not a replacement as a father, and part of it is having to accept Jerry's love. Melinda is a very confused girl.
9.) When her mother yells at her after their return from Disneyland, why does Melinda remain silent?
Melinda is that she knows that her mom needs to yell and get it out and that part of it is self-reflection. Melinda then responds by running away.
10.) At the end of the story, why does Melinda skate with Jerry even though she thinks of him as “just another man in the world, who had nothing to do with me”? (p. 104)
Melinda has no one else to go to. Also, Jerry is the only one willing to love Melinda.
Vocabulary In Context
1.) Maternal (p. 92)
Quote: "'You must miss him.' Other mothers got maternal, pulling me close to their soft, aproned bellies." (Page 92)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): motherly, feelings relating to a mother
Synonym: parental
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): That boy's grandmother is maternal to him by constantly hugging and kissing him.
2.) Luxuriously (p. 95)
Quote: "He crossed one leg over the other, smoking luxuriously." (Page 95)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): very comfortable, enjoyable, fancy
Synonym: elegant
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The rich man luxuriously sipped his cup of tea in the restaurant.
3.) Glamorous (p. 97)
Quote: "He had short bristly hair and a glamorous smile." (Page 97)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): gorgeous, amazing, beautiful
Synonym: exquisite
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The glamorous supermodel walked down the runaway with a beautiful dress.
4.) Glinted (p. 98)
Quote: "She glinted along the ice, shifting her weight from leg to bent leg." (Page 98)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): to reflect light
Synonym: gleam
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The mirror glinted towards my eyes, blinding me.
5.) Approximated (p. 100)
Quote: "She had already stopped telling Jerry the things she wanted because he tried to get them for her and he made mistakes. He approximated. He bought her the wrong kind of record player for Christmas and he got a dull gold Cadillac, a used car, for her birthday."
Definition (based on context/in your own words): come close to or to be similar to something, to estimate or calculate or predict
Synonym: near
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The mathematician approximated what the answer to the math problem would be.
Quote: "'You must miss him.' Other mothers got maternal, pulling me close to their soft, aproned bellies." (Page 92)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): motherly, feelings relating to a mother
Synonym: parental
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): That boy's grandmother is maternal to him by constantly hugging and kissing him.
2.) Luxuriously (p. 95)
Quote: "He crossed one leg over the other, smoking luxuriously." (Page 95)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): very comfortable, enjoyable, fancy
Synonym: elegant
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The rich man luxuriously sipped his cup of tea in the restaurant.
3.) Glamorous (p. 97)
Quote: "He had short bristly hair and a glamorous smile." (Page 97)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): gorgeous, amazing, beautiful
Synonym: exquisite
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The glamorous supermodel walked down the runaway with a beautiful dress.
4.) Glinted (p. 98)
Quote: "She glinted along the ice, shifting her weight from leg to bent leg." (Page 98)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): to reflect light
Synonym: gleam
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The mirror glinted towards my eyes, blinding me.
5.) Approximated (p. 100)
Quote: "She had already stopped telling Jerry the things she wanted because he tried to get them for her and he made mistakes. He approximated. He bought her the wrong kind of record player for Christmas and he got a dull gold Cadillac, a used car, for her birthday."
Definition (based on context/in your own words): come close to or to be similar to something, to estimate or calculate or predict
Synonym: near
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The mathematician approximated what the answer to the math problem would be.
Thinking Map
Examples of when Melinda's mother is helpful towards Melinda:
1. Melinda's mother provides financial support for Melinda. For example, Melinda's mother pays for Melinda's school as it is said on page 97. This is very supportive of Melinda. Melinda's mother wants the best for Melinda. 2. Melinda's mother is supportive of Melinda's ice skating. She coaches Melinda. For example, "My mother skated up behind me and caught me at the waist. 'This is how you really lose the pounds,' she called, slapping her thigh, 'skating fast.'" (Page 92) It is right for every mother to be supportive of her child. 3. Melinda's mother doesn't say anything mean about Melinda's father towards Melinda. For example, "'You, you can't do this to her,' my mother said, her voice gathering like a wave. They sent me outside to the porch. I heard everything, even their breath, through the screen door." (Page 95) It is right for a mother to send her child outside when she and her husband are arguing. The mother should not let the child be involved in an argument between her and her husband. 4. Melinda's mother is protective towards Melinda. For example, "My mother said either both of us went or neither. She said she was afraid he would kidnap me." (Page 100) This is right for Melinda's mother to do this. Every mother should protect her child. 5. Melinda's mother encourages Melinda to have talent and skill. For example, "'See, when you're older, you can bring a boy you're dating here to see you skate. He can watch and think, hey, she's not just another pretty girl, she can really do something.'" (Page 93) It is right for every mother to be supportive of her child. Melinda's encouragement towards Melinda is helpful towards Melinda. |
Examples of when Melinda's mother is hurtful towards Melinda:
1. Melinda's mother encourages lying about the television. For example, "'Tell him you're saving up for it. He'll probably just buy it for you.'" (Page 102) It is not right for a mother to encourage lying towards her child. Lying is not the right the to do. 2. Melinda's mother yells at Melinda, telling Melinda she is ordinary. For example, "'There you slumped. You looked down. You really just looked ordinary. Like any other kid around here.'" (Page 103) I believe it's not right to say bad things about other people, especially if the mother is doing that to her child. 3. Melinda's mother is more interested in Jerry than in Melinda. For example, "She kept trying to bend down to tie her laces and he pulled her up, kissing her. Finally, looking over his shoulder, she saw me and quickly mouthed "go." (Page 98) It's not right for a mother to not pay attention to her child. A mother should be equally as interested to her child as to her husband. 4. Melinda's mother is sassy towards Melinda. For example, "'I work,' she said finally. 'I pay for your school and your books and your skates and your lessons. And,' she said in a louder whisper, 'I pay the rent.'" (Page 97) Melinda's mother doesn't have to be sassy and tell Melinda that her father does nothing to help her. That is not right for a mother to do that. 5. Melinda's mother uses Melinda as a pawn to convince Melinda's father to buy a Sony portable color television for herself. For example, "But my mother gave me a short push and I went slowly down the stairs. I tried to remember everything she told me. Chin up. Smile. Brush your hair back. Say you're saving for it. Suck in your cheeks." (Page 102) It is not right for a mother to force her child to do something for her. |