The closing question of last week's seminar was, "What are the enduring lessons of Pride and Prejudice?"
I found an enduring lesson of Pride and Prejudice and the underlying message of Robert Frost's "Mending Wall" to be similar. Rather than rely on the received wisdom of others, one should form his own principles and not hesitate from asking the question, "Why?" Elizabeth did not share her mother's views of marriage simply because the wisdom was received. She felt marriage should exist for the love of another while Mrs. Bennet viewed marriage as a security system.
The neighbor of the speaker in Frost's "Mending Wall" was told, "Good fences make good neighbors." When the neighbor was asked why this notion was true he was not able to answer. Rather than question the idea, the neighbor accepted the wisdom because it was received from his father.
Does this connection make sense to you guys, or am I being completely out there?
I'm going to end my blog by saying Advanced Placement English is the reason I wake up in the morning :)
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AP English is the reason for the season.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I think I see what you're saying, that for Elizabeth to fully understand what her mother is saying she has to experience it the way her mother did? And for Frost's poem it was more like, the neighbor followed the tradition, but didn't really follow the meaning behind it. It was more like it was drilled into his head more than anything else. So the connection is the fact that one actually questions the received wisdom, and the other quotes it mindlessly, from what I can tell.
woah. it took me a minute to get it, after I read the poem. Looking at it now, I can see it.
ReplyDeleteheather brown, that's awesome
I think both Elizabeth and the neighbor had wisdom/tradition handed down to them but they interpret it differently. Elizabeth questions the wisdom and forms her own view, ultimately going against the tradition. The neighbor accepts the tradition and passes it off as his own wisdom as well.
ReplyDeleteI love the connection Heather! Mending Wall centers around one man's belief that a tradition is outdated and useless. I would relate the man to Elizabeth. She does not choose to follow tradition for herself, but does not interfere with others following tradition. Similarly the man in the Mending Wall recognizes the stupidity of mending a wall to make good neighbors, but allows his neighbor to continue making the wall. Both characters choose to defy tradition in their own thoughts and actions, but allow others to follow tradition without interference.
ReplyDeleteHeather, you know that Art 4/5 is also the reason you wake up in the morning :), admit it!
ReplyDeleteI love that Elizabeth is willing to go against the norm and marry for love. How romantic :).
The fact that she had the courage to question what was the only thing accepted at that time. It makes you realize that just because you're told something doesn't mean that that's whats right. We should question everything we're told and find out for ourselves if you agree or believe in that.
Heather, when I first read this, I thought Mr. B posted it. You're so cool.
ReplyDeleteThat's right Becky! Art 4/(6-1)! ;) Anyways, I too agree that Elizabeth had a great mind to believe in what she stood for. Unfortunately, there are still people in the world who marry for "security purposes", but it's nice to see that people like Elizabeth knew better than that. Besides, who wants to live in a loveless marriage. There's no life to it. But now, things are much different and I feel that as generations continue to come into the world of "life", people are learning more and more about themselves and how to be better people than those of the past.
ReplyDeleteHeather, what a fantastic post!
ReplyDeleteYou're completely right. And not out there.
Traditions are all fine, well, and good, but meaningless ones are well...meaningless. It takes a person to think about it and to try to discover the REASON why things work the way they do. It takes courage to question what is considered normal in your society, and I don't even mean publicly question, but inwardly question. For instance, sources say that Christmas was a date chosen in order to bring new people into Christianity and that that wasn't the REAL date of Jesus's birth. When I heard that (whether it's true or not isn't the point), I had to wonder about the reason that I, as a Christian, celebrated Christmas. Was it a meaningless tradition of buying a tree (why a tree??) to decorate (why decorate??) and giving presents? No, I found my real reason. And so I'm still lovin' Christmas, even if it somehow turns out not to be the FOR REAL ACTUAL DAY of Jesus' birth, the reason behind the season is what is important to me. Thanks for warming me up for that analogy Brigid by the way :)
I think the connection is brillant, but calls upon the first title of the book, First Impressions. The wall seemed like a place for finding the truth, and yet it became a place of misconceptions. We make assumptions with people we don't even know and aren't comfortable with based on the tales of people we trust and love. But when we find out the truth, and there is always something new to be found, we are still in that uncomfortable position, because of our inability to think positively about people. I think in regards to tradition and making up one's own mind about them, the tides always change, and that's the beauty of life. Traditions of today won't be tomorrow; which gives the man hope of creating a relationship with his neighbors, ignoring the "wisdom" of his past, and embracing the future.
ReplyDeleteIt's very insightful for you to make such a connection. Both Elizabeth and the man are stubborn, although Elizabeth is more likely to question tradition than the man. Elizabeth's character is different however because she realizes the mistakes she is making in believing in false wisdom in contrast to that of the man. Elizabeth believes a man that she shouldn't whereas the man believes someone he probably should. I want to almost say that most of the other characters are like the man, and Elizabeth is the one that is trying to bust through the mending wall at the end after initially being naive.
ReplyDeleteThe gold star now goes to Heather Brown.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, flattery will only get you a "B." TO get an "A," I am going to need a new car and a house and...
Just kidding, you know I can't be bought. Keep up the good work guys.
I don't know about a new car or a house...but I'm sure Becky Jones would love to create an Art 4/5 masterpiece for you...
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