For Tuesday, please read Z.Z. Packer’s short story, “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere” (link on blog) and post three discussion questions about the story to our class blog. Your questions should be posted no later than 12pm on Tuesday. Be sure to bring a print out of the story with you to class!
9 thoughts on “Assignment for Tuesday, March 7th – “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere”
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Discussion questions
1) Why does the author use descriptions like “the kind of kid who took pleasure in sticking pins into cats; the kind who chased down smart kids to spray them with mace.” instead of other examples like “the kind of person who doesn’t follow the rules” etc? Also does she not have any pride in being an honor-roll student? (she describes her self negatively, almost rebel like).
2) Why does the author constantly switch between the revolver story and Dina’s interactions with Heidi (in the beginning)?
3) Why did the author decide to includes many curse words throughout the story; instead of putting more friendly language?
Discsussion Questions
Why did the counselor stop and ask Dina why she said she wanted to be a revolver when she said it clear to understand?
Would they have treated Dina the same if she wasn’t a colored girl and said revolve?
What caused Dina to be a misanthrope and why did she let Heidi in if she did not like people?
Answer to Question #2:
I believe that race plays a major role in the story. Dina was given a whole year of therapy for answering “revolver” to a question during orientation. This action was to dramatic. To my personal opinion, if there were to be any person who would say “revolver”, I would send them to therapy but not for so long. First, I would want to know why she said that and then I would see if that much counseling is needed. I would have started with one semester of therapy. Furthermore, I believe that because Dina was African-American they stereotyped her too quickly. They probably associated her with the bad neighborhoods and thought she could harm others because of her answer. If it were to be a person from a different race I believe they would have given them a shorter time. Additionally, they wouldn’t have panicked as much as they did with Dina.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why does the author find it difficult to accept her identity?
2. Did the University respond in the correct way after Dina gave her response?
3. Why does the author title the story “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere” but barely incorporates it into the story?
2. I don’t think there is a “correct” way to respond in that situation. However, I think that there are some reasonable responses to the answer that Dina gave. I, personally, don’t think the university responded in a reasonable way; because they gave Dina a year of psychiatric counseling instead of trying to understand her. For example, I would’ve told the freshman counselor to try and talk to Dina first to figure out her situation. Then, based on the information that the counselor gathered, I would determine whether Dina needed psychiatric counseling or not.
I believe the author finds it difficult to accept her identity because she has never experienced the rush of emotions within her before. Referring to her sexual identity, as she spends time with Heidi she develops feelings for her. Constantly with her therapist, whenever Dr. Raeburn brings up her emotional state Dina shuts it down immediately. I feel that Dina hated the life she was living because she went through so much. Thanks to Heidi, Dina was able to find some happiness for a while to see her true self.
Discussion Question
1. Why does Dina constantly feel that she need to keep her guard up?
2.What role does the author’s father have, although briefly mentioned, in the development of her personality?
3. Heidi shares with Dina the death of her mother. Dina’s mother had also passed away, as she shares in her flashback. Why does Dina continue to say things she doesn’t mean, though she too has experienced similar pain?
Discussion Questions
1) In the beginning of the article, Dina refuses to put her trust in anyone even for a trust fall. Will this change later on and how will it impact her identity?
2) What type of relationship did she share with her father due to the information she shares about him? Could he be the incident in her life that impacted her trust?
3) How does the therapist help Dina find her true identity and help break down her barrier towards others?
Answer to Question #2:
From the beginning of the story we find out how Dina hates her Dad. She saw how her dad mistreated her mom and how this could have possibly led to her mom’s death. A father is there to provide for his child and show love and affection. Through the story we learn that Dina’s dad was never there for her. She seems to hold that resentment in her and through him she learned that sometimes you can’t even trust the people who are suppose to be must dear to you. This certainly affects her life because we see how Dina is not very good with building relationships and prefers to depend on herself. I believe that Dina thinks that she is the only person who can’t let her down.