Jordana had been looking forward to her gymnastics meet for months. All of her routines were perfect, and she had a brand new leotard to wear for the competition. If Jordana scored high enough, she would qualify for the Junior Olympics.

Question

The day before the meet, the ring finger on her left hand looked a little red and swollen. Jordana mentioned it to her dad, who was a physician.
Jordana's dad took one look at his daughter's finger and immediately recognized that it was fractured. He turned away quickly from his daughter, hoping that Jordana had not seen the expression of disappointment on his face. Jordana had worked so hard for the opportunity to compete in this gymnastic meet. He did not want to be the one to tell her that her finger was broken and she would miss the meet. He avoided her gaze, and mumbled that he would have to look at her finger later. Then, he headed towards the stairs.

Explain how the withheld information affects the characters or the plot of the story.

Answer 1

The withheld information affects both the characters and the plot of the story in several ways. Firstly, it creates a sense of suspense and anticipation for the reader, as they are aware of crucial information that Jordana is not. This adds tension to the story, as the reader wonders how and when Jordana will find out about her fractured finger.

Secondly, the withheld information affects Jordana as a character. She is described as looking forward to the gymnastics meet for months and has put in a lot of effort to perfect her routines. By not being aware of her broken finger, she continues to feel hopeful and excited about the competition. This creates a contrast between her obliviousness and her father's disappointment, making the eventual revelation of her injury even more impactful.

Thirdly, the withheld information affects Jordana's father as a character. He is described as avoiding his daughter's gaze and not wanting to be the one to tell her about her broken finger, suggesting that he feels guilt or remorse. By keeping the information to himself, he risks potentially disappointing and upsetting his daughter. This internal conflict adds depth to his character and creates a moral dilemma, as he must decide whether to prioritize his daughter's feelings or her physical wellbeing.

Overall, the withheld information of Jordana's fractured finger adds tension, creates a contrast between her innocence and her father's guilt, and poses a moral dilemma for her father. It impacts the characters' emotions and actions, ultimately shaping the trajectory of the plot as the reader anticipates the moment when the truth will be revealed.