In The Other Side of the Hedge, Forster really presented an interesting worldview. Those "of the road," though they sought something greater and better, were really getting nowhere. There whole idea of progress was just an illusion in which they were trapped. However, the life on the other side of the hedge does not look much more appealing than the first. The people just sleep under the stars, living a simple life like "cattle." They are simply Being, and with this they are quite content. The problem that the main character had with life "on the other side of the hedge" is that it is not going anywhere. The people are content with life as is and thus they are not seeking greater ideals or improvement. Also, in class we discussed how one might think life on this side of the hedge rather boring.
I find this view of the other side of the hedge to be very interesting. Man constantly searches throughout his entire life for meaning, purpose, something greater. There is constantly talk of the gods, and of utopias and heaven - a place where we will all be content and satisfied with life "as is." However, when we actually see such a society drawn, such as Forster's "other side of the hedge" we automatically begin to look down upon it. The people to us seem ignorant for not wanting to advance their position in life; we have fears of the boredom that must be present in such a place. Why such a great contradiction? It would seem that there is a great conflict within man as to where meaning/ contentment lie.. for he would like to be content with life as is, but on the other he feels that meaning cannot be found where he is but only as the product of hard work.
I commented on Joy's Reminiscence of Thurs
Yes, I like that you pulled on the fact that man is always searching for something greater, a place of satisfaction and contentment on the way things are. However, it is true like you said, so often humanity searches for this kind of life, but when they read about it they are so appalled by what they imagine from the words on the page. That also leads to the fact that we can not truly know exactly what forever in eternity looks like because man is limited in actual view points of things that are of eternity. So indeed, where does meaning/ contentment lie, where do they meet?
ReplyDeleteI also found the view of the other side of the hedge to be quite interesting. In life on the "road," much like our lives, there is a constant struggle to be better, to improve and innovate. However, the idea of the other side of the hedge is a disappointment. It is a simple life with simple people who are simply content, not trying to advance. It seems to be a great contradiction, because man works for the betterment of society, but when placed in a utopian- type atmosphere, he is not content because there is no challenge or problems to solve.
ReplyDeleteI like your blog Callie. That seems to be the idea. The people of the road are getting nowhere with their "progress." We look at the road and think, well that's not successful, but then we see the garden and think, that's not successful either...so what can we do? I think Over the Hedge has a lot to do with how a person defines success and what they decide to be content with.
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