In “The Old Order” by Katherine Anne Porter, the past is a huge theme that is prevalent, especially in reference to the Grandmother and Nannie. Their entire lives and worlds revolve around talking about the past. Porter writes, “They talked about the past, really-always about the past. Even the future seemed more like something gone and done with when they spoke of it.” Their pasts, although described as bitter in this short story, were something of importance to them because the past is what was familiar to them. It was a time that defined them and shaped them into who they are now. It was what they were used to and comfortable with.
I feel that it was because of the fact that they were so comfortable with the past that they were so judgmental of the younger generations. Their children and grandchildren were looked down upon by them because they were not following the same standards that they were used to. For example, when Grandmother’s son married a “new” woman, it was unacceptable and unbearable to the grandmother even though the woman was very much like herself. I feel that the Grandmother was so disapproving of this because she was used to the ways of the past where woman were submissive and did not speak out. They did not have the right to vote, nor did they earn their own living. This was not acceptable. I feel that even though she herself was such a strong woman, it was only because she had to be in order to provide for her family after her husband died. It was not a fate that she chose for herself, it was simply one that was set before her and she had to accept for her children.
I believe that this theme of past versus present also goes along with Grandmother and Nannies’ views on slavery. They both know their place within society, as they were taught when they were younger and as a result they fulfill their roles even after slavery has ended. Not that they feel that the freedom of slaves is wrong, it is just that they are not accustomed to it. Even when they argued, it was said that they “fought on almost equal terms.” It was still for them, even when they were the closest of friends, that they were ALMOST equal, not ENTIRELY equal. This is simply because it was ingrained in them since they were born. It is along the same lines of being told that you are ugly all your life until one day you are told that you are good looking. Would you believe it? Of course not, because you have become so brainwashed since you were young that it just controls the way that you act and do things and probably even has affected who you are as a person. The way in which you are raised, along with the time in which you grow up defines you as a person and an individual and it can affect you in ways that are impossible to understand. This is why Grandmother and Nannie were so set in their ways, intolerant to new things, reminiscent about the past and stubborn as all hell not to change.
I leave you with a few questions to think about on this manner: Are your very own grandparents as tolerant to other races as you are? What causes them to be intolerant? Are they just ignorant or do they not know any better? Was this intolerance caused by what their very own parents taught them or by the types of attitudes that surrounded them during this time in history?
5 comments:
My favorite part of your blog is your comparison about how people felt after slavery ended and personal beauty. Obviously those things are totally different, but I understand exactly what you are saying. It is very difficult for people to change their minds about something that they have been taught for their whole lives. I think that it was easier for Grandmother to do so because she had lived with Nannie for most of their life, and Nannie wasn't just her slave, but her friend. However, she still didn't treat Nannie entirely equal. It's not that she didn't care about her, but that's just the way things were. It seems that Nannie expected this too. She knew the social norms, and I think that she also really cared for Grandmother.
In the stories by Katherine Ann Porter the way in which the races are perceived does change. In answer to the question is it history it or is it parents, I think that its the historical context. Nannie was the last of a slave generation and as time pasted Sophia Jane's children began to see her in a different life. Also, as time passed the roles that women play began to change and develop differently. I think that the social changes that occur change people's attitude towards social questions. History changes the view of time.
When I think about how the grandmother acted towards her children and grandchildren, looking down on them for acting the way that they do I couldn't help but think about a few things. The grandmother talks abotu how the children act out and are a lot more vocal with their feelings especially the girls, I can't help but see her as being cynical about the whole thing. She yells at them for acting out when in fact isn't she doing the same when she talks to them. She doesn't really act like a lady, does she? I like the questions you brought up in your ending because it made me think, are my grandparents socially different than me because of the time period that they grew up in? The answer is yes they hold so many different views than on do on all matters. I see things in a more modern way and they see things as if it was still the past, just like the grandmother in the story.
I love the questions that you posed and leave you this answer. It can be a mixture of both. I think it's the who nature versus nurture arguement that has raged on forever. I think in this case though, both the Grandmother and Nannie were taught and absorbed the attitudes around them and then perpetuated what they knew. I also agree with you that both Grandmother and Nannie kept up past traditions simply because they were used to it, but also because they may have been fearful of the present, the new and the unknown, causing them to cling to the remnants of the past. With this attitude it would make it difficult to accept anyone with new ideas or the new generation.
Jess,
I also found your questions thought provoking. I think that the context in which one is raised has a lot to do with one's views. But I personally also find my views changing over time; not political views really, but more my views about human nature and life, so maybe not just historical context but also our point in the life cyle has something to do with our views. Hope that made sense...
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