The main character in "Rules of the Game" is just a kid, so it isn't too surprising that the story is concerned with youth. Specifically, this story is about how Waverly slowly loses her innocence. The better she gets at chess, the more expectations are placed on her and the less time she is allowed to spend as a normal little kid. Thanks to the incredible pressure her mom puts on her, as Waverly loses her freedom to spend time being a carefree kid, she also grows more critical and aware of her mother's controlling way. The poor kid's childhood gets yanked from her on a couple of levels. Ouch.
Questions About Youth
- Why does Waverly's mother initially tell people that her daughter is winning through luck? Is it just modesty? Or is it a way to excuse the fact that she's so young?
- How is Waverly's mother more child-like than Waverly with her desires and wishes? How is she more adult?
- Does Waverly's skill at chess seem extra special because she's so young? Why or why not?
Chew on This
Waverly's child-like interest in chess eventually leads to the loss of her childhood and the onset of adulthood.
Waverly's mother doesn't respect Waverly's skills because she's just a child, treating her daughter more like a show pony than a person worthy of respect.