'The portrait of a Lady'--Why grandmother didn't like the New English ...
The grandmother didn't approve of the teaching methods at the English schools due to many reasons. She didn't like the fact that they only taught about science and nothing on God, the scriptures and spirituality. She absolutely disapproved of music being taught for she didn't considered music as something for the gentlefolk but to be the sole monopoly of beggars and harlots. Western education did not please the grandmother at all.
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'The portrait of a Lady'--Why grandmother didn't like the New English ...
Because in author's new school there was no teaching about god and spirituals. grandmother doesnt believe in science. so grandmother doesn't like his english school.
'The portrait of a Lady'--Why grandmother didn't like the New English ...
The Portrait of a Lady - Grandmother's Dislike for the New English School
Grandmother's disapproval of the New English School in "The Portrait of a Lady" can be attributed to several reasons. Her reservations stem from a combination of cultural, traditional, and generational factors. Let's delve deeper into the details:
Preservation of Traditional Values:
- Grandmother comes from a different era, with values deeply rooted in traditional Indian culture.
- She believes that the New English School promotes Western values that clash with the traditional upbringing and customs she holds dear.
- The school emphasizes English education and Western ideals, which she finds incompatible with Indian traditions.
Language and Cultural Identity:
- Grandmother values the preservation of Indian languages, especially her mother tongue. She sees the New English School as a threat to the dominance of Indian languages and culture.
- She fears that the school's focus on English education will erode the students' connection to their native language and cultural heritage.
Resistance to Change:
- As an elderly person, Grandmother may be resistant to change and unfamiliar with new pedagogical methods.
- The New English School represents a departure from the traditional Gurukul system, which she may view as a more authentic and effective way of education.
- She may also feel nostalgic for the educational practices of her own time and perceive the new school as a deviation from what she considers "proper education."
Class and Social Divide:
- Grandmother may associate the New English School with the upper class and the British colonizers.
- She may feel that the school perpetuates social divisions and privileges the elite, further widening the gap between different social strata.
- The school's emphasis on English education may also be seen as an attempt to separate the educated class from the masses.
Conclusion:
Grandmother's disapproval of the New English School in "The Portrait of a Lady" is rooted in her desire to uphold traditional values, preserve cultural identity, resist change, and challenge social divisions. Her concerns reflect a generational clash and a fear of losing touch with Indian traditions. It is important to recognize and respect her perspective, even as society evolves and new educational approaches emerge.
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