Skip to main content

In the book, where does it show that Amy gave up forcing Lulu to continue playing the violin?

The answer to your question lies in Chapter 32 and Chapter 33. In fact, a quote at the end of Chapter 32 illustrates Amy's capitulation to Lulu's demands:


“Lulu,” I said. “You win. It’s over. We’re giving up the violin.”


Amy's decision did not come easily. In light of the argument between Lulu and Amy in Chapter 31, we come to understand Lulu's sentiments; although she enjoyed playing the violin, Lulu didn't enjoy the pressure...

The answer to your question lies in Chapter 32 and Chapter 33. In fact, a quote at the end of Chapter 32 illustrates Amy's capitulation to Lulu's demands:



“Lulu,” I said. “You win. It’s over. We’re giving up the violin.”



Amy's decision did not come easily. In light of the argument between Lulu and Amy in Chapter 31, we come to understand Lulu's sentiments; although she enjoyed playing the violin, Lulu didn't enjoy the pressure Amy put on her to perform at a certain level. If we fast forward to Chapter 33, we can see the reason for Lulu's stress and subsequent outburst at the restaurant. According to the chapter, Lulu had an orchestral concertmaster position as well as lessons with the Julliard-trained Miss Tanaka every Sunday in New York. Lulu was also required (by Amy) to spend long hours practicing every day despite her orchestral and academic responsibilities.


The conflict between Lulu and Amy stemmed from widely differing views about the role of accomplishment. To Amy, the violin symbolized control over one's destiny and 'respect for hierarchy, standards, and expertise.' On the other hand, Lulu viewed the violin as an instrument of oppression. In Chapter 30, we learn that Amy forced Lulu to play at her own Bat Mitzvah, and that was possibly the straw that broke the camel's back where Lulu was concerned. The instrument had ceased to bring Lulu joy; instead, it caused her an undue amount of stress and prevented her from indulging her love for tennis.


Here's another quote which explains Amy's decision in Chapter 33:



I couldn’t lose Lulu. Nothing was more important. So I did the most Western thing imaginable: I gave her the choice. I told her that she could quit the violin if she wanted and do what she liked instead, which at the time was to play tennis.



To reiterate, my best advice is to read Chapters 30, 31, 32, and 33 in order to get a fuller picture of Amy's decision.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

What gift did Della buy for Jim and why in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which... Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair.  Della is still willing to sell her hair so she can b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...
Post a Comment
Read more