The subject of youth and ‘crabbed’ age is very interesting to me.
Foremost, as intimidating as the passage appeared because of the length
of material it was well received. I personally believe that the young
and old in society should not separate because there is much that the
two groups can learn from each other.
As a young
person, I say this in an unbiased and unproud way, who doesn’t want to
be young? Youth is the prime of life and emotion. I believe Harrison
was greatly in love with youth because she talks so much of youth
almost as if she wants to be young once again.
What fascinates her so much to the young?
Crabbed
Age and Youth cannot live together: "Youth is full of pleasure, Age is
full of care"…These are the opening line of a poem by William
Shakespeare that bares the same tile. This idea espoused by Shakespeare
is one that Harrison only partly supports. She believes that for
the most part youths are egotistical pleasure seekers and the aged are
altruistic, caring beings. But also dispel the idea that both can’t
co-exist in spite of the differences of opinion and lifestyle. She
believes there is an artificial barrier created between the two which
believe the two cannot meet on common grounds. Youth, I do adore
thee; O, my Love, my Love is young! Age, I do defy thee: O, sweet
shepherd, hide thee! For me thinks thou stay'st too long.
(Shakespeare).
But, I believe, both youth and old
age serve their purposes. No soul can be forever young as age is no
guarantee either.The age of youth makes the realization of ambition
possible. The young is naturally motivated through strength of body and
ambition for adventure while the old is satisfied with recollections
and wisdom of old age. Harrison points out that a problem arise when
the old does not want to give up the “vagaries” of youth. The idea of
perpetual youth creates a problem because there is no time for
reflections.
Another problem is the old wanting the
young to walk in their footsteps on a path, metaphorical speaking, that
is always changing.. The young should be left to make their mistake the
writer seems to advocate. I agree with the writer that there is an
artificial divide between youth and old age, this is promulgated by
jealousy by older person to one extent, and fear of becoming that way
by the youth. It can be lessen if these are addressed. The essay is a
work of beauty that could fit as a newspaper editorial or a magazine
article in any of today’s important magazines. I believe Harrison’s
style is excellent.
She closes with this, "Forget the
subject...decline the crudity of class distinctions; ignore crabbed age
and youth as classes and you will find that as individuals they will
and can most happily live, and even dine, together".
Therefore,
whether Youth or crabbed age it is clear that to all is given a time
which is as valuable an asset if used well, because not all youth reach
crabbed age.
Seminar in Advanced English Studies
Mythical_Poet
Summer 2010
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