The Signs of the Thistles: A Study of Ominous Representations in Willa Cathers Neighbour Rosicky - Essay Example

The Signs of the Thistles: A Study of Ominous Representations in Willa Cather’s “Neighbour Rosicky” There are times when we shall be tried, when we will be given true tests of our faith in the midst of suffering and uncertainty. Such is the idea behind the movie “Signs” starring Australian actor Mel Gibson, who plays a minister living on a farm with his children. It starts out more like a family drama, with the minister’s family going through crisis after crisis; one morning a series of precisely-carved circles of crops appeared, which spurred a chain of events that tested and emphasized the family’s patience and faith (Shyamalan, 2002). Cather’s Neighbor Rosicky is the film’s alter ego, with almost the same elements used, but used differently. It is, undeniably, about patience and faith, and love—and how the continuous presence of these virtues can surpass any trials the come along. Neighbor Rosicky was written by legendary writer Willa Cather, who was born in 1873. She has often used the Midwest—particularly Nebraska and New Mexico— as a setting for many of her stories, focusing on the hardworking and patient nature of country people. Moreover, her writing takes a sharper point on topics of home, heart, and soul. Willa Cather wrote about relationships and people, and not just about the prairie they were in (www.womenwriters.net). In the story, Rosicky, a Czech immigrant, is established as a warm, kind, affable man who had a singular dream for himself and for his family—to own and work on their own land, for nothing would bring him more happiness than this certainty. While he was city-bred and was exposed to more urban and sophisticated choices, he also saw the evils of living in the city amidst modern machinery and tall, imposing buildings. These were realities he would guard his family against, at any time, a purpose so clear to him that he soon was able to purchase his own forty acres of land. He provided everything for his family, and often marveled at the beauty of his farm. So much so that when his eldest son expressed his desire to work up in the city, Rosicky adamantly refused and was pleaed when his son eventually decided to stay. Sadly, he was diagnosed as having a weak heart, and, as would happen later, would be the cause of his death—right after weeding his son’s farm of thistles. Thistles are commonly known as tumbleweed, and were first grown in the United States by Russian immigrants in 1873. They are known as a pests, or contaminants, which are disseminated in trains carrying cattle, on their way to America. Thistles have the capacity to thrive just by being blown in the wind, and by festering in already-disturbed soil. To date, they can be found contaminating over 100 million acres all over the United States (UC IPM Online, 2008). Rosicky, in the story, would move mountains just to let his children live the dream he had for them, and knew how to address the obstacles that came his way. He knew how to get rid of the thistles—on the farm and in their lives—and preserve the peaceful, contented picture he had painted for his family. The thistles, most likely, represent the lure of the city life, its opportunities and financial advantages. To be citified means to be cynical and hard-edged, just like thistles. A mature thistle has a tough, woody stem and leaves that are short, stiff, with sharp pointy tips. They infest a pure, unadulterated country farm, and need to be pulled out individually in order for them not to grow and spread all over. So, when Rosicky saw thistles in his son’s farm, he immediately pulled them out to keep the farm undisturbed, and to help his son, who already was having thoughts of looking for opportunities in the city. The act of pulling out the thistles, which were living on a fresh growth of alfalfa, may be equivalent to eliminating each thought to city life from their family. The alfalfa, being simple and common, represents the peace and sincerity of living in the country, on their own land. It can also be said that the thistles represent the intrusion of foreigners into their quiet Czech lives. This can refer to the Americans in the story—Doctor Ed, and Rosicky’s daughter-in-law Polly—who have had their own views about being part of the Rosicky family and participate in their rituals. While the doctor had high regard for the family all throughout the story, he was shown to have particular affection for Mary, Rosicky’s wife. He often compared her to other farmers’ wives, and Mary always came out on top. Even with the doctor’s obvious admiration for his wife, Rosicky took no offense in any of it and always treated the doctor like family. Polly, on the other hand, was initially hesitant to adapt to the Czech culture and family values; it required the good heart and compassion of Rosicky to appease her. The thistles themselves are foreign, as they originally come from Russia. One other representation of the thistles is Rosicky’s denial of his age and weakening body, as evidenced by the doctor’s diagnosis of his heart. Rosicky refused to give up his strength—his ultimate ticket to realize his dreams—and ignored all the tell-tale signs. That his final proof of how fine-bodied he still was is the amount of thistles he was able to get rid of may substantiate this claim even more. Perhaps it was Rosicky’s way of telling his body to wait, to hold on for a few more, until Rosicky had solved all of his family’s concerns about living in the country. Foremost on his mind was still his eldest son, and he felt he still had to settle some unfinished business. But in the end, Rosicky experienced the “cramps” in his heart twice: the first time after picking out the thistles, and the second time when he was already brought back to his own home. The turn of events signified Rosicky’s need to be in his own home as he peacefully passed, to be in touch with everything he knew and loved. The role of thistles in the story is juxtaposed with how Rosicky saw his farm, how perfect he thought it was. While he was over at his son’s home, half a mile away, he would look over and be amazed at the state of his beloved house. And not just ht ehouse, but the people who were living in it, specially. From the outskirts of the country to the farmland he bought on his own, Rosicky would describe everything in great detail, with much awe: from the way the sun rises from beyond the mountains, to the gentle sprinkling of snow on the neighbors’ roofs and roads, to the glowing light coming from a warmly-lit room. These are scenes perfect in themselves, like they were arranged with each element in mind; definitely not a place for thistles, which just grew where they could, without a care for anything else. Rosicky often admired his farm, as well as the tiny graveyard that was just near the barnyard. It was a small piece of land covered with long grass, which was so unlike city graveyards. Here, the sky and sun connected seamlessly, and the sound of children playing permeated the cool air. It was picture-perfect, just the way Rosicky wanted it. It is here where he would be buried, a place free from thistles and troubles. A place where peace, finally, came to be, specially with the knowledge that all was well with his family. For Rosicky, everything he had, he worked hard for. He knew the value of money and of land, and vowed to have his own. He was a man with dreams, that grew bigger and better as the years went by. When he was younger, he wished for survival; in his middle age, he longed to work in the country, even on another man’s land; and when he reached his old age, he would settle for nothing but land he could call his own, and he could pass on to his children. Rosicky had simple dreams, never wished for anything excessive, but definitely, thistles were never part of the picture. The thistles in the story, on top of the many representations they have, also symbolize trials and tribulations, failures and disappointments. Rosicky, the kind-hearted, honest man, would have protected his family from all the trials, like the ones that had come his way, in any way he could. And if the thistles never came, he would have probably continued solving his sons’ problems, prohibiting them to become mature adults. We all need thistles in our lives, every now and then. While they are unwanted, and appear to just be bothersome and harmful, they teach us some of life’s best lessons. They remind us to stop, when it is no longer our place; and to fight, when the purpose is yet to be fulfilled. It is truly about faith—in oneself, in others—and patience. Works Cited: Cather, Willa. “Neighbour Rosicky”. The Pearson Custom Library of American Literature. Shyamalan, M. Night, dir. Signs. Touchstone Pictures, 2002. http://www.womenwriters.net/domesticgoddess/cather1.htm UC IPM Online, Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. University of California: Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2008. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7486.html Read More