Pearlstein
05-01-2014, 04:02 PM
Lyman Ward is a Historian and former college Professor. He is suffering from a degenerative illness that forced the amputation one leg. His wife left him for the surgeon that removed the leg and he is currently residing in the home of his deceased grandparents. The longtime family servant is now his caretaker. The circumstance he’s found himself has caused a detachment from modern society. He is very dismissive of the views of his son, a Berkely sociologist, and Ida’s daughter Shelly who both represent elements of 1960’s youth culture. In a sort of coping mechanism for his isolation and removal from society, he’s partaken on the extensive project of writing the history of his Grandparents. Both of them were talented and accomplished individuals, but held conflicting values.
Susan Ward embraced art and culture. She was a talented writer and drawer and lived for high New York society. Oliver was an engineer that wasn’t able to finish college because of illness. Instead of trying to finish his education, he looked to the west for employment and experience. Augusta is Susan’s closest friend and through birth is emblematic of all the cultural values that Susan holds. Their correspondence is the source of Lymand’s research. She married Thomas Hudson who turned into a prominent editor for that period. Susan was in love with Thomas and the three of them were close friends during the courtship period and Susan was most certainly hoping for Thomas to propose to her. Her acceptance of Oliver was partly based on having been turned the third wheel in that former love triangle. The story is their nomadic existence as Oliver moves from job to job across the western frontier.
There is so much depth to the story and the characters are thoroughly developed. The story includes five different stops along the frontier where the values of the characters are challenged and expanded upon. Lyman initially exhibits resentment towards Oliver for dragging Susan out of her element and forcing her to compromise her values in order to make a suitable home away from civilization. Susan continually exhibits resourcefulness and talent, her commercial relationship with Thomas provides the income stability. Oliver is hardworking, intelligent, honest and inventive. His honesty and unwillingness to accept the negative qualities of the Western frontier prevent him from commercial success or domestic stability.
The author is quick to promote Susan’s talent and virtues, but as the story develops the reader slowly learns the wonderful character that is Oliver. The climax of the story requires ultimate forgiveness , and the limitations that studying history has for that knowledge and ability.
Susan Ward embraced art and culture. She was a talented writer and drawer and lived for high New York society. Oliver was an engineer that wasn’t able to finish college because of illness. Instead of trying to finish his education, he looked to the west for employment and experience. Augusta is Susan’s closest friend and through birth is emblematic of all the cultural values that Susan holds. Their correspondence is the source of Lymand’s research. She married Thomas Hudson who turned into a prominent editor for that period. Susan was in love with Thomas and the three of them were close friends during the courtship period and Susan was most certainly hoping for Thomas to propose to her. Her acceptance of Oliver was partly based on having been turned the third wheel in that former love triangle. The story is their nomadic existence as Oliver moves from job to job across the western frontier.
There is so much depth to the story and the characters are thoroughly developed. The story includes five different stops along the frontier where the values of the characters are challenged and expanded upon. Lyman initially exhibits resentment towards Oliver for dragging Susan out of her element and forcing her to compromise her values in order to make a suitable home away from civilization. Susan continually exhibits resourcefulness and talent, her commercial relationship with Thomas provides the income stability. Oliver is hardworking, intelligent, honest and inventive. His honesty and unwillingness to accept the negative qualities of the Western frontier prevent him from commercial success or domestic stability.
The author is quick to promote Susan’s talent and virtues, but as the story develops the reader slowly learns the wonderful character that is Oliver. The climax of the story requires ultimate forgiveness , and the limitations that studying history has for that knowledge and ability.