RE

Posted by Shilpa Chheda on October 30, 1998 at 21:32:03:

In Reply to: Truth? posted by Esther on October 07, 1998 at 15:54:10:

: In considering Dagney's phrase on its own, I find it interesting that in general, the statement is true. We do live in an adult world, and childhood is/should be preparation for the adult environment. Is Dagney negating her childhood? No, my impression is that she is merely frustrated by the process of becoming an adult, and is expressing her frustration that it took so long to get her there.

I think we need to consider the fact that as a child, it is true that you cannot do things for yourself up until a certian point becuase of the natural state of a human. Example: you can't do things until you are able to walk, express your ideas in words (learn to speak), etc. BUT, AFTER this stage, what is stopping you as a child from becoming an adult? Child labor laws? Laws that require you to go to school (which according to objectivism, ruins a child's rational mind). Childhood is a big part of the book that functions as symbolism. As a child you are still innocent, and therefore, adults find no reason why children should NOT be happy, NOT enjoying themselves... etc. This is normal for a child. But Rand wants to emphasize that for Dagny, it is also a normal.