Feb 16, Lets Talk About Love? Reaction to 'Oranges'

What do I believe?

I believe that the "Matrix" is an absolutely wonderful movie and my point of reference was stolen through its implication in the question. But more importantly, it's a perfect starting block. One of my favorite Buddhist quotes goes something along the lines of, "a thousand man army can conquer a thousand civilizations, but the true warrior can conquer oneself." In order to conquer oneself we each have to be willing to confront ourselves. Challenging our own beliefs, breaking the habit, veering off from Mr. Emerson's path of "foolish consistency," is the only way that an individual can become whole. It is the necessary first step to "coming of age."

By the way, yes, this writer does have several favorite Buddhist quotes.

Winterson's autobiographical novel is thus far an outstanding example of coming of age. Religious zeal (ala her mother and several other key influences) offers a perfect backdrop for coming of age. In a setting like we have with 'Oranges,' being raised, shaped, and trained in a very singular, unquestioned, unidimensional manner builds a person within a confine so small and tight that it requires an aggressive escape on the part of the main character.

Jeanette describes outright how her mother intended to raise her, "train" her, and "build" her into "a missionary child, a servant of God, a blessing." She is never given an outlet to develop on her own. For a long period, she is not even allowed to go to school - it's an evil breeding ground. She is raised according to the mother's strict dualistic beliefs (which seems to be a theme in this class as well). Jeanette is not allowed the oppurtunity to discover her own ideas, but rather is subjected to her mother's ideas of what is of the Lord, and what is of the devil.