I hope that everyone has been finding the end of the book much better than the beginning as I have. We have been claiming a lot that Henry is emotionless but I think that is much more difficult to argue now. He's become so much more in touch with his emotions toward the end which, in my opinion, is due to his struggle with religion. Henry is getting caught up in this battle of education and religion and I find myself feeling sorry and understanding him because I have had this same problem so many times in my life. He's going back and looking at all this education and doubting its credibility if religion were what everyone has made it out to be. The battle doesn't much allow modern science and religion to play equal roles. To me, it seemed like Adams wanted so much to be religious but for education purposes, he couldn't quite make it work it. I just found it interesting to see that he was addressing such a common issue. It goes back to what Kelly mentioned about Henry speaking to our generation. Think evolution. This is still such a problem to today and Henry definitely, if not anyone else, spoke to me.
I also hope that Henry managed to get some credit from those who didn't care much for him. He subtly admits that difficulty of reading this a couple of times approaching the end of the book and I respect him for that. From the text, you could look at the quote "With the help of these two points f relation, he hoped to project his lines froward and backward indefinitely, subject to correction from any one who should know better." Here he is basically acknowledging the fact that he goes back and forth a lot and changing his mind and talks about things repetitively but for me it became more acceptable upon reading that. I mean if Henry can recognize his chaotic writing style then who I am to judge him for it? Speaking of chaos, he also wrote about that obsessively in the last few chapters and I couldn't help but to link it to the writing style he's been pursuing. Everything is thrown about because he's trying to find a logical order but for such a subject, there may not be a good one.
Henry comes off much more human in the last few chapters. I hope some people have changed their minds!
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I am definitely one of those who changed their mind upon finishing The Education of Henry Adams! It became so much easier to relate to him once we discovered his personal struggles, primarily his obsession (and concern) with the relationship between technology and the Church. He became more human in my mind because of it. You mention the chaos of his writing, and this was something else I came to appreciate. I feel like if the book had been written in first person rather than in third, it almost would have read like a stream of consciousness journal at times. I came to accept his often repetitive and chaotic writing because it seemed to be a more direct translation of his thought processes. When he wrestles with abstract concepts and goes back and forth with them, we can see his indecision firsthand and understand the mental path he took towards finding a concrete conclusion to his issues. The fact that he experienced doubt and frustration also illustrates his humanity. I was happy to see a more likeable side of Adams!
ReplyDeleteI also thought his comparison of early religion to scientific discoveries was interesting. Henry Adams brings up the themes of force and unity as motivators behind early people seeking religion. It’s a smart analogy --- in later chapters people are seeking force through the use of machines, metaphysics, and the like. As I read this chapter, I realized that Henry Adams was questioning whether science and religion can function together. Using history as a guide – Rome achieved the Pax Romana with a focus on the economy of the city in addition to religion. While energies were directed on building roads and sophisticated sewage system, religion also came into the mix (messing things up, according to Adams). The people focused on religion and avoided putting efforts into keeping the city functioning economically, which was a part of it’s fall. By focusing too much on religion and ignoring science, progress is hurt or completely destroyed. Henry also mentions famous men in the sciences who challenged religion – my favorite quote is on pg. 366: “Thought did not evolve nature, but nature evolved thought.” That is what Henry means: while religion was present in these societies, the people grew in scientific thought and both beliefs did not always mix so well. While astronomers were seen as heretics in parts of Europe because they were going against Church teachings, Henry mentioned “divine unity” as a way to tie science and religion together. I think he means that the universe is so vast there must be a Higher power, and those microscopes and telescopes help to prove it… Not discredit it. I personally believe that science and religion can work together. Henry is in agreement with me, surprisingly: “Religion, philosophy, and science go hand-in-hand.” This topic caught my interest because I could relate to it. This topic is current, because secular scientists and Christian scientists still try to prove and disprove Christianity/lack of a God. Henry went back and forth between religion and science, but could never really find a place where they meshed together completely. Part of his search for religion could be because of his old age--- not to be cliche, but it's easier to look back on your life and try and search for that unity. Maybe his education (from different parts of Europe and the US) was not enough.
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree with your support of Henry Adams. In class I felt people were a bit too critical, a bit too fast; yet I certainly respect other peoples' opinions. But I think Henry Adams certainly does get in touch with his personal side from the beginning of the novel to the end of the novel. From his intimate tales of his childhood to his frustrated experiences in Berlin, England, and Rome, I think Henry argues a valid point of the importance of religion throughout history; primarily through the Dynamic Explanation of history. I think one possible explanation for people's doubt is that Henry writes in such an educated fashion, so formally, and with such a high level of knowledge that it sounds almost like a text book. However, I really just believe this is how Henry Adams expresses himself.
ReplyDeleteHenry brings up valid points that, like Ashlee states, can relate to a lot of life experiences. I know for my own life, God has played such an essential role that has certainly influenced my morals and my education; especially when considering which lessons i hold most valuable when looking at my past.