Fulfilling Roles
I just finished watching “Mona Lisa Smile” for one of many times. I love that movie. I know at least one who is not at all fond of it and I’m sure there are many others.
Besides reminding me of my equally beautiful and historic Alma Mater, the film gives a full picture of the issues it studies. Namely, marriage and education as they do or do not fit together. Each of the main characters has her own desires for the future and are subject to changing circumstances and the opinions of others. They each have lived according to certain traditions and each is forced to examine it for what it really means personally.
Katherine (Julia Roberts) has ideas to change the world of Wellesly with modern art and bohemian ideas. At such a traditional school she is hardly accepted and realizes she can’t change everyone and shouldn’t try. Instead of decides to expand her own horizons.
Betty (Kirsten Dunst) is the daughter of a strict proper woman/alumnu and follows her given path until she realizes her goal isn’t achieving the desired standard. She learns more than a few times in different ways that proper high society isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. She learns to actually see people and is challenged to follow a completely unknown path.
Joan (Julia Stiles) clarifies the desires she already possessed and her topmost priority.
I identify most with Stiles’ character. I believe it is important for women to be well educated and to choose their future, whether it be a career, marriage [with children], a mix, or something entirely different. She can appreciate her education, and continue her personal development even as she loves her husband and children. My goal is to balance a family, performing, and volunteer activities. Some people think a homemaker sits at home all day and cleans, or that her whole being revolves around husband and children, not true. I would have little to offer my family if I did not also continue to challenge myself and grow personally.
There is a featurette on MLS called “College: Then and Now.” It gives a couple statistics of women in college from the 50’s and now and poses the question of what has changed. While marrying soon after, or even before graduation is not now unheard of at R-MWC, we are not following an expectation but making a concious choice. And for most, it does accompany career goals, and the desire to travel, etc. If Randolph-Macon encourages anything it is making educated choices and pursuing life passionately.
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