Teaching Elaine Neil Orr’s Swimming Between Worlds
Topics for class discussion
- What role does the novel’s setting—time and both Nigeria and Winston-Salem—play in the development of a central conflict/issue explored in the novel? Relate to an explanation of the title.
- Consider the specific settings within Winston-Salem of the novel’s action. How does each setting relate to character and/or conflict development?
- Discuss the symbolism of the camera: How does it reflect Kate’s central conflict? (which must be clearly defined in your response)
- Discuss the symbolism of the swimming pool: How does it reflect a central issue/conflict of the novel? (which must be clearly defined in your response)
- Discuss the symbolism of Tacker’s motorcycle and Kate’s car. How do these vehicles contribute to their character development?
- What role does each of the following characters play in Tacker’s conflict development and/or resolution? Samuel, Joshua, Gaines, Tom, Kate, his parents
- What role does each of the following characters play in Kate’s conflict development/resolution? her parents, James, Janet, Gaines, Tacker
GROUP DISCUSSIONS
TEAM Tacker
- Define Tacker’s conflict in 1 or 2 clear sentences.
- Discuss 2 or 3 incidents from the novel that reflect this conflict’s emergence, then development.
- What role does setting (here and abroad and historically) play in the conflict?
- What roles do Samuel, Joshua, Kate, Gaines, his parents play in the conflict?
- How/to what extent is Tacker’s conflict resolved by novel’s end?
- What theme emerges from Tacker’s experiences in 1960s Winston-Salem?
- How does Tacker’s experiences/conflict/novel’s theme apply today?
TEAM Kate
- Define her conflict in 1 or 2 clear sentences.
- Discuss 2 or 3 incidents from the novel that reflect this conflict’s emergence, then development.
- What role does setting (here and abroad and historically) play in the conflict?
- What roles do Tacker, James, Gaines, Janet, her parents play in the conflict?
- How/to what extent is Kate’s conflict resolved by novel’s end?
- What theme emerges from Kate’s experiences in 1960s Winston-Salem?
- How does Kate’s experiences/conflict/novel’s theme apply today?