Discussion of The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy

The Beaufort Book Club met of Thursday evening for a lively discussion of The Water is Wide. We also looked briefly at Sallie Ann Robinson's Gullah Homecooking the Dafuskie Way as Sallie Ann is one of Conroy's former students. We tried to guess which student was Sallie Ann, having concluded that the author created names for the students as well as for the island. One attendee reminded us that the fictional name of Yamacraw referred to a Native American tribe once resident near Savannah.
A former teacher related the experience of teaching children who had formerly been isolated in coal camps in rural Kentucky. Her experience with these isolated students was similar to Conroy's in that the children had little conception of the geography, culture, and opportunities in the outside world. We concluded that both white and black children in some areas had been cheated of a useful education during that period in our history.
We discussed the motivations of the other teacher, Mrs. Brown, who "beat" the children and exposed them to what would now be considered emotional abuses. Former teachers, and former students among us recalled the fact that spanking students for infractions was common during that time. We concluded that Mrs. Brown may have been using behaviors that were used by teachers when she was a student.
The group also discussed Pat Conroy's teaching methods to keep the interest of his students. Today's lesson plans would have been no use to him at all considering the vastly limited points of reference his students would bring to traditional curriculum. We applauded his use of classical music to gain their attention and give them a success in identifying pieces of music that they could show to visitors.
The discussion concluded with examining the symbolism of the title. We agreed on the idea of separation and isolation suggested by the water image.
If there are parts of the discussion not seen here that were significant to you, please click the "comment" link and let me know. Your posts will be included as soon as I receive them. Remember, you can sign your posts, but when sending them, they will only send if you check "Anonymous."
Next Meeting:
Thursday, October 18. Judy will lead the discussion of The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Add to you list of upcoming titles:
February 21-Same Sweet Girls by Cassandra King (8 copies in the library system including LP)
March 20- A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss (6 copies in the library system)
April 17-Angels and Demons by Dan Brown (8 copies in the library system including LP)

Note from Sandi

Just a tidbit for the club tonite. The Kite Runner is coming to the big screen in Nov. ! Hope to be back in November. I have registered our club on various Book Club webs hopefully we will win some freebies. Sandi

Meeting Thursday, Sept. 20

Don't forget, we are discussing Pat Conroy's The Water is Wide on Thursday evening at 5:30 in the second floor library meeting room at 311 Scott Street. Be ready for a lively discussion!