This week, Joey, Colin, and Jennifer discuss “Opening Theory” by Sally Rooney, published in the July 15th, 2024 issue of The New Yorker. The story revolves around Ivan, a socially awkward chess prodigy, and Margaret, a staff member at a chess club event. Their connection forms during a brief encounter that is both intimate and disorienting for both characters. Through their interactions, the story explores themes of self-denial, passion, and life transitions.

Our Thoughts

Joey opens the discussion by sharing how his initial reaction to the story was lukewarm, but by the time the two characters began connecting in a bar scene, his view shifted. He found the prose to be minimalist and somewhat flat at first, but he appreciated how the style became a reflection of the characters’ emotional detachment and vulnerability.

“At first, I didn’t like it. But at the 75% mark, it all changed, and I started to love it when they began connecting intimately.”
— Joey

Colin points out that the use of present continuous tense and the lack of quotation marks were initially unusual, but they helped create a sense of immediacy in the story. He enjoyed how the characters, particularly Margaret, appeared as outsiders who slowly revealed their vulnerabilities. He also found the tone reflective of the characters’ aloofness.

“This story was about two outsiders forming an intimate connection, and it worked because of the characters’ clinical detachment. It was more Margaret’s story than Ivan’s, and I found it surprisingly life-affirming.”
— Colin

Jennifer reflects on the different phases of life depicted in the story, noting the age gaps between the characters and how these differences shaped their worldviews. She appreciates the way the story portrays life stages and regrets, particularly how Margaret’s advanced experience allowed her to connect with Ivan on deeper levels of understanding.

“I loved the themes of life stages and how their mutual attraction, though undeniable, was also wrapped in complications. Margaret and Ivan are at different points in life, and their encounter reflects that.”
— Jennifer

Key Themes Discussed

• Outsiderness and Connection: Both characters are outsiders in different ways. Ivan, as a socially awkward chess prodigy, and Margaret, who appears to have it all together but shares a sense of detachment from life.
• Self-Denial and Passion: Joey emphasizes how both characters are navigating lives marked by a fear of passion. The story reflects how people deny themselves experiences that could bring joy and connection, as Margaret and Ivan both wrestle with their emotions.
• Age and Experience: Jennifer discusses the age differences between the characters and how they represent different phases in life. The story touches on the complexities of aging and the way it impacts relationships, life decisions, and self-perception.
• Vulnerability and Growth: Colin points out the story’s subtle exploration of vulnerability, noting how both characters learn and change through their brief connection. Margaret’s personal growth is particularly evident, and Ivan shows resilience despite his insecurities.

Conclusion

The group concludes that “Opening Theory” offers a rich exploration of human connection, vulnerability, and life transitions. Sally Rooney’s style and minimalist approach allow the characters’ inner worlds to come to the fore, leading to a deeper emotional resonance. While the story is not plot-driven, its thematic depth provides plenty of material for reflection, especially around issues of identity, age, and passion.