Posted in Enoch Roden's Training by Hesba Stretton
These posts are a living discussion which you may enter into at any time.The current discussion will be continued in the very near future, as we are at the final chapters of Enoch Roden's Training. We have, however, found life to be upon each of us as a group and are looking forward to discussing chapters 17-20 in the near future!
In the meantime, please feel free to join our discussion and look over the Helps we have provided for your use in the way of Vocabulary lists and Scritpure references!
You will find them in the category of: Enoch Roden's Training by Hesba Stretton
Here is my discussion from Chapters 1-3,
which was posted after the others...
Read the original discussion: Enoch Roden's Training Chapters 1-3
by Jacque
I very much liked the intro of the characters in to the book. This again is going to be a book where the trials are experienced and brought before the LORD it seems.
Mr. Drury seems like a flighty man, but not in a bad way, just not bothered by the cares of the world. I think that is why it didn't bother him when Enoch said something about being a Missionary, but, rather, he directed him in the way he should think about getting there and what to do until he does.
I think that Susan was embarrassed, as if Enoch was not appreciative of Mr. Drury's noticing that he was interested in being a printer. Then, when Mr. Drury said that he could not help him become a Missionary and go to college, it may have seemed as if he thought that Enoch was fishing for a benefactor, which he likely was not, but it could have been taken that way. Perhaps she thought that in his youth he lacked the discretion to not say that in front of a man who would give his right arm to help people out. It was very kind of him to offer the job to him.
I think Mr. Drury's library sounds delightful also! books all over, olden books with leather covers; how quaint. However, knowing he has accumulated debt and seems to have trouble paying his normal bills, I wonder why he has so many books. Unfortunately, as Amanda said, it seems as though this has become a burden to his business, his home and his daughters.
I also think he is not doing as he should with Esther. It is not a bad thing for her to live through hardships. It is a bad thing for her to shoulder the entirety of the responsibility and stress of the money matters each month. This is something her father should and could be taking care of. He is allowing her to live in a bitter spirit, and that surely will not be good for either of them. It is almost as if she thinks of him as an aloof dreamer who is someone she has to make all of the decisions for and bail out of everything because he is unable. This will create a prideful spirit in her. I am afraid for her and what this may do to her spirit.Poor Enoch, but he seems to handle it in a mature manner. This is something that will help him as he grows and goes out into the world and workforce. He got right back on the horse, and that was good for him. Mr. Drury handled it well, even though Esther had a different opinion.
I agree with Rachel (babymakers) that she needs to just let him handle it. Young ladies at this age can very well handle the responsibility, but that is not the issue here. The issue is that God has set the family up for a purpose and in an order, and that is not the order she is walking in. I do think it is her father's final decision though, and he should be ther one to put an end to it. He could if he wanted to. I think that he is a dreamer. And she is doing them no favors by being in charge.
I am sorry that she must give up her Grandmother's salver, but by doing so, she is allowing him to keep all of those books he might be forced to sell if she didn't. He certainly would not have allowed her to do so, had he known, and perhaps he would have stepped up to the plate and taken care of it. And, if not, so what? So they lose some things? I think that is what they need. I agree that she is to be praised for giving, but I don't think she did it with the right attitude. She was very prideful and arrogant about it. I did not like the way she talked down to Susan, either, when she went in and asked about Enoch's job and giving it to the other boy whose mother would have paid them for it.
She is being allowed to create more problems than they already have, imo.
Oblivious is a good word, Amanda. Esther is enabling him into oblivion, though. It will be interesting to see how this works out. It is not right, and there are a lot of things going on that will have to have an effect later on.
Rachel, I agree... "how young men USED to be"... and, we are training them up to know once again! PTL!
Blessings all!!
