Compare and contrast the gifts Meridian receives from Alden and from Clay.

Compare and contrast the gifts Meridian receives from Alden and from Clay. What significance do those gifts have? What do they say about the giver, about his feelings toward Meridian and what he wants for her?

Alden's gifts are given to a Meridian that only exists in his mind. She is the little girl that he married and the wife that is obedient and docile and conciliatory. Alden's gifts are practical but mostly benefit Alden. I'm thinking of the Crockpot most especially. Alden's gifts are worldly. Clay's gifts are given to the Meridian that he sees in front of him. The real and concrete Meridian. Sometimes to a Meridian that he wishes she would become, but his gifts are given because they reflect what he knows is important to her. He is aware of what she needs before she is aware of it and sometimes doesn't even realize is a need that she has within her. Clay's gifts are spiritual.

Alden's gifts are all about him giving her things he thinks will show how great he is and how lucky she is to be married to him. Clay on the other hand gives her things that are related to who she is and the connections they share in knowledge and in view of the world. I guess another way to put it is that Alden's gifts are from his ego and Clay's are from his heart.

Alden's gifts were things he thought Meridian needed while Clay's gifts were things he knew would make her smile. Alden saw himself as a provider not a partner while Clay saw himself as a partner not a provider. Their gifts were reflective of how they saw Meridian but also of their roles in her life.

Alden's gifts were more practical and for the woman he saw her to be. Clays gifts were more for the potential he saw in her as a woman

Alden always practical, Clays gifts were for the person,

Let me preface my answer. I liked Clay and didn't particularly like Alden. Gaudy jewelry and crock pots are not my idea of great gifts from someone who loves me. I'm sure Alden was doing his best. I would melt if my husband of 40 years gave me a book with passages marked or the hat Clay got her.

My husband once gave me a microwave for a gift. He never made that mistake again. Alden was for the most part practical except when he gave Meridian the ridiculous necklace. Clay did not have a lot of money, his gifts were more about feelings and showing Meridian his love.

Alden gave her what he thought she needed for her role as his wife. Clay gave her things he knew she would be delighted it.

Alden knew nothing about Meridian. He got things he thought were appropriate. There was no intimacy in them at all. Clay on the other hand really connected with Meridian and he instinctively knew what she would cherish. His gifts were those of sharing. He even taught Meridian how to give when he gave back the melted rock she gave him. She then figured it out and gave him the necklace with charms that had a meaning to them both.

Alden's gift are very practical. The crock pot for example. He thought it was clever to give a gift that would improve efficiency for his home. Alden didn't necessarily have time to buy gifts and really just gave Meridian gifts out of obligation. He was so wrapped up in his job, that he didn't really know his wife very well. He couldn't give her a thoughtful gift, because he did not know what his wife would have wanted. Clay on the other hand knew Meridian. He was tuned in to her. He listened and observed. He knew her in the most intimate sense. He was able to give her meaningful gifts because of that. And he proved that over the course of 40 years for every birthday.

Alden's gifts demonstrate how little he really knew her. I believe he thought she would appreciate them. But he didn't really try to know her at all so he wouldn't realize how inappropriate they really were. Clay's gifts demonstrate how well he knew her.