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What did you learn from Maeve Brennan's story? Do you consider it a warning or rather an example of a unique and full life?

Created: 04/28/16

Replies: 7

Posted Apr. 28, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3444

What did you learn from Maeve Brennan's story? Do you consider it a warning or rather an example of a unique and full life?

Of all of Bolick's awakeners, Maeve Brennan's story ends perhaps the most tragically. Yet, Maeve's ability to express herself endures in spite of her circumstances. What did you learn from her? Do you consider her story a warning or rather an example of a unique and full life?


Posted May. 02, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sweeney

Join Date: 05/24/11

Posts: 185

RE: What did you learn from Maeve Brennan's story? Do you consider it a warning or rather an example of a unique and full life?

I didn't see it as a warning, just a tragic ending to an otherwise full and fulfilling life.


Posted May. 02, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
reene

Join Date: 02/18/15

Posts: 497

RE: What did you learn from Maeve Brennan's story? Do you consider it a warning or rather an example of a unique and full life?

Maeve seemed to have chosen the life she wanted. She became a writer at a time when most women had to use their initials to get published. She was married for a period of time, but also seemed to enjoy her "alone time" The 1930's was not a particularly easy time to be single, nor could she have easily moved in and out of relationships like Bolick . I can't say Maeve's life should be a warning. Bolick's life and Maeve's were two different time periods. Does Bolick really expect to live the life of a female writer living and working in New York in the twenties and thirties?


Posted May. 03, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
melanieb

Join Date: 08/30/14

Posts: 265

RE: What did you learn from Maeve Brennan's story? Do you consider it a warning or rather an example of a unique and full life?

I considered Maeve Brennan's story to be motivating because she chose the life that worked for her. Bolick's inclusion of Brennan's story added a diverse and realistic presentation to the book.


Posted May. 06, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dianaps

Join Date: 05/29/15

Posts: 460

RE: What did you learn from Maeve Brennan's story? Do you consider it a warning or rather an example of a unique and full life?

Maeve became successful doing what she loved most. Unfortunately we don't all get the fairly tale ending.


Posted May. 06, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Windsong

Join Date: 05/07/13

Posts: 105

RE: What did you learn from Maeve Brennan's story? Do you consider it a warning or rather an example of a unique and full life?

I think it was neither. For me mental illness is not a part of a unique and full life. I am not quite sure to what her story can warn us. Is it not to write nasty things about relatives? Is it to warn us that casual affairs will ultimately hurt us? I only felt the tragedy of the ending of her life, not the success which she achieved.


Posted May. 09, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
barbm

Join Date: 02/04/16

Posts: 77

RE: What did you learn from Maeve Brennan's story? Do you consider it a warning or rather an example of a unique and full life?

Windsong, you took the thoughts rambling in my head every time I read this question, and put them into words. Definitely the tragedy of her illness overshadowed any interpretation of success (to me.)


Posted May. 21, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
suzanner

Join Date: 04/26/15

Posts: 27

RE: What did you learn from Maeve Brennan's story? Do you consider it a warning or rather an example of a unique and full life?

Thought Maeve Brennan was the most "out-of-kilter" of all five awakeners. At the outset I thought she might suffer from borderline personality disorder. This moving about constantly from one apartment to another, rootless and listing, was a big clue. And her facade of high fashion was suspicious. Yes, building herself from the outside in made me wonder if sand castles inhabited the soul. Guess so, sadly.
I thought Maeve Brennan's story was a warning because it showed how persistently the erosion of physical appearance and sociable behavior became harbinger's of severe schizophrenia. Truly the short story by Edith Konecky summed up the tragic denouement of her friend.


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