FAREWELL, HANK DQ

1. In the 1st scene, there is an argument between Adrienne and her mother. What does this scene tell us about Adrienne’s character? This scene reveals that Adrienne is practical, protective, and perhaps skeptical. She cares deeply about her mother's health and well-being, expressing concern in a direct manner. Her tendency to be cautious about her mother’s choices and her straightforward attitude show she is pragmatic and protective, sometimes bordering on cautious pessimism.

Evidence: When Adrienne and her mother discuss Hank's health, Adrienne questions, “Really? You want to do that?” showing her cautious and protective nature. She also reflects on her feelings, thinking, “It didn't make Adrienne sick,” indicating her practical outlook and emotional resilience.

2. It is evident from this quote, “The whole event freaked Adrienne out.” p48, that the living funeral is unsettling to her. Why does it seem that way to her? The living funeral unsettles Adrienne because it appears artificial, performative, and overly theatrical. The exaggerated displays of grief, the elaborate rituals, and the sense of constructed mourning evoke feelings of discomfort. It seems more like a spectacle than a genuine act of honoring Hank, which makes her feel that something is wrong or insincere.
   Evidence: She describes feeling “overstimulated by the colors,” and states she “felt dizzy from it all,” highlighting her sensory overload and discomfort with the artificiality of the event. She perceives the celebration as “performative,” which contributes to her unease.

3. Adrienne’s mom said Adrienne “shouldn't be so pessimistic about people she barely knew”. p52. Discuss potential reasons for Adrienne’s pessimism. Adrienne's pessimism likely stems from her cautious and analytical nature, combined with her past experiences and limited trust in others’ motivations. She observes people's actions critically and recognizes potential selfishness, superficiality, or insincerity, especially in social rituals, which fuels her skepticism and cautious outlook.
   Evidence: She observes people’s behavior, noting, “She recognized that emotions during such events can be amplified or insincere,” suggesting her skepticism. She also reflects, “She didn’t know how to express a loss she had never fully experienced,” which indicates her cautious approach to vulnerability and trust.

4. “Adrienne wondered how much of what people said was true and how much was exaggerated through a magnifying lens of premature grief and performance.” p55. Why might Adrienne have such views? Adrienne's views are shaped by her awareness of the performative nature of social rituals surrounding death, where grief can be exaggerated or constrained by social expectations. She recognizes that emotions during such events can be amplified or insincere, leading her to question the authenticity of expressed sentiments and motivations.
   Evidence: She thinks, “how much of what people said was true and how much was exaggerated,” which shows her awareness that social rituals can be superficial. This indicates her tendency to question the authenticity of emotional expressions during death ceremonies.
   

5. What outstanding things made Adrienne feel that everything is wrong or fake that it made her feel nauseous and angry? p59-60. The artificiality of the setting—orchids, staged celebrations, and the exaggerated expressions of mourning—contribute to her feelings of alienation. The clash of colors, the meticulous but superficial appearance of Orchid Lady, and the performative nature of the funeral rituals make Adrienne perceive a disconnect from genuine emotion, causing her nausea and anger.
   Evidence: She comments on the “fakeness of this fake funeral,” and feels “dizzy,” “nauseous,” and “angry,” showing her perception that the event’s superficiality conflicts with genuine mourning. Her reaction to Orchid Lady's meticulously made-up appearance and staged reactions underscores this.
   

6. While Adrienne is talking with Hank, what did we learn about Hank’s perspective on this whole situation? Hank appears resigned and somewhat detached about the events. His focus on his own condition and mortality suggests he is indifferent or possibly uncomfortable with the elaborate funeral plans. He seems to accept his situation with quiet dignity but doesn't seem to fully participate in the performative aspects—they are more for others than for himself.
   Evidence: Hank is described as “waiting for a response” and “bursting into laughter,” indicating a sense of acceptance or perhaps detachment. He says, “I gave her that nickname,” referring to Orchid Lady, which hints at his usual humor and comfort about the situation, despite his illness.
   

7. What reasons do you think that Joan (Orchid Lady) gave Adrienne the orchid bulb? Orchid Lady likely gave Adrienne the bulb as a symbol of hope, renewal, or spiritual continuity. It represents life after death, growth, and perhaps a form of reincarnation—aligning with her belief that orchids symbolize longevity and eternal life.
   Evidence: Orchid Lady states, “All you need is to add your own dirt,” and her detailed explanation about orchids symbolizing love and longevity reflect her intent to offer hope and a connection to life after death.
   

8. What are the different symbolisms that show up throughout the story and what do they reflect in the story? a. How is the orchid viewed differently by the Orchid Lady vs. Adrienne? Orchid Lady views orchids as symbols of longevity, beauty, and spiritual transcendence—embodying her beliefs in life after death and enduring love. Conversely, Adrienne sees them as symbols of superficial beauty, and perhaps insincerity, associated with performative mourning and societal expectations regarding death.
   Evidence: Orchid Lady sees orchids as “symbols of pure love,” and believes they embody eternal life, as she feeds ashes of the dead to her orchids. Adrienne, however, perceives orchids as “pretty” but superficial, feeling “overstimulated” and uncomfortable among their displays, which suggests skepticism about their deeper meaning.
   

9. How did the experience of the “living funeral” change Adrienne’s beliefs/ideas on death and grief? The experience deepened her skepticism toward performative displays of grief and emphasized the importance of genuine emotion and personal connection. It made her more aware of the complexity of death, and perhaps more contemplative of her own feelings about mortality.
   Evidence: Her reflections on the event as “freaked out” her, and her subsequent act of placing her father’s ashes into the orchid, signify a shift toward accepting the symbolic power of life and death intertwined. Her thought, “one day, she imagined, they would walk by the orchid when it was in full bloom and be moved,” illustrates her new perspective on remembrance.
   
   a. How does this revelation relate to her actions at the end where she puts her father’s ashes into the orchid? It signifies her acceptance that death and memory are intertwined with symbols of life and growth. By placing her father’s ashes into the orchid, she incorporates her understanding of rebirth and remembrance, acknowledging that grief can be a part of ongoing life rather than mere finality.
   Evidence: Adrienne's decision to scatter her father’s ashes onto the soil and then feel that “it felt right” shows her embracing the idea of death as a part of life and growth rather than final silence.
   
   

10. “Orchids do not thrive in outdoor environments” p53 a. What are your thoughts on this quote? The quote suggests that orchids symbolize delicate beauty and fragility, requiring careful nurturing. It reflects the notion that grief and remembrance may also need gentle, attentive care to flourish emotionally.
    Evidence: This statement highlights orchids’ delicate nature, symbolizing the fragile, attentive care needed for their survival.
    

b. How might this quote describe the nature of grief? It implies that grief is a fragile state that cannot simply be left in the open or ignored; it needs to be cultivated in a supportive environment. Just as orchids need specific conditions to thrive, healing and remembrance require patience, love, and delicate handling.
Evidence: The quote is metaphorical for grief: just as orchids require specific conditions, grief needs careful nurturing and cannot be left unattended or in an environment that does not support emotional growth.