The Rule of the Games-Analyzing Characters-The Average Joes

Background information: In the best stories, the main characters are interesting and complex, or well-rounded. You can identify complex characters in the following ways:

• They show multiple even contradictory traits or qualities
• They struggle with conflicting motivations, or reasons for acting
• They change or learn something important by the end of the story

As characters interact with one another and struggle to overcome problems, their choices move the story along. The characters action—or decisions not to take action—can lead to new plot development and may intensify the conflict, tension, or suspense in the story.

As character struggle with the conflict can teach a general lesson. In this way, characters help develop the story’s theme: the central insight that it conveys. As you read a short story, pay close attention to the ways of characters change into the lessons that they learn. These details point you towards the story’s theme.

Instructions: find your own examples in the “Rules of the Game” where the author builds characters by answering the following questions:

1. Identify at least two conflicts (each) that Waverly and her mother face. For each conflict, determine (1) how the characters respond and (2) the possible reasons (or motivation) for responding that way. When the Waverly asked about Chinese torture, They respond because Chinese torture is not a good thing and the mother would not want their daughter to here about it. Waverly ran away because her mother kept bragging about Waverly’s skill in chess, she probably reacted like this because the mother was proud but showed it to much, so Waverly had enough and ran away to avoid hearing her mother brag.  
2. Cite (quote) at least two ways in which Waverly’s actions or reactions change the situation and move the plot forward. Then do the same for Mrs. Jong. In the middle of the story she asked an old man if he wanted to play chess and he responded by saying, “Little sister, been a long time since I play with dolls,” he said benevolently.” This helped move the plot forward as he helped her become better at chess by teaching her strategies. One of her reactions is at the end of the story when she says to her mother, “I wish you wouldn’t do that, telling everybody I’m your daughter.” This creates some tension as the mother becomes mad as she thinks her daughter is ashamed to be with her. In the very first sentence it says,”I was six when my mom taught me the art of invisible strength.” This moves the plot forward as this was her strategy in life and in chess. “Is shame you fall down nobody push you,” said my mother. This advances the plot as the mother gives her both helpful advice and lets her compete in a tournament.   
3. Do Waverly and Mrs. Jong change or grow as a result of their experiences? If so, in what ways? If not, why? I believe that they did not grow very much. Towards the end not much is resolved, the story ends with Waverly and her mother arguing about how waverly’s mother shows her off to everyone. Waverly does not like that and they end the story with them on bad terms.

      4.)What central ideas do Waverly and her mother’s conflict emphasize? What insights about life or        the human condition does the story express? (In other words, what is the theme? Waverly started to be embarrassed by her mother pointing her out and she doesn’t want people to know who she is, making her mom to get frustrated with her thinking that it’s a shame to be with her mother. The theme of the story is to take pride in who you are don’t fear it, do what matters to you.