Question

Doing nothing is something what were quindlen’s summers like when she was a child?

Answer 1

Anna Quindlen's childhood summers are depicted through memories of simple, unplanned activities and leisure, reflecting themes common in literary portrayals of summer as a time for relaxation, reflection, and connection with nature.

Step-by-step explanation:

Anna Quindlen's childhood summers were characterized by unstructured time and the freedom to explore and engage in idle reflection. Her summertime experiences included various activities like digging clams, baking them, and finding countless things to do despite a lack of rigid planning—emphasizing the joy and creativity found in the simplicity. Additionally, passages from diverse literary sources paint a picture of summers as times of leisure, contemplation, and simple pleasures. From lying under spruces and observing nature, as Venters and Bess did, to Carin's playful innocence on deck and Louisa Ellis's meticulous routine before enjoying her garden, summer emerges as a symbol of reprieve and quietude. However, beyond the pastoral scenes, we also glean insights into the lives of characters dealing with inactivity, such as the woman in the chaise longue yearning for a break, and the social scrutiny that Bernice feels when away from the luxuries of her hometown.

Answer 2

Anna Quindlen's summers were lazy, with days filled with sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of their swing set. In later years, her summers were filled with summer camps, proms and soccer games.