Chapter 21, page 380

[hertz9]

As unto the bow the cord is,
So unto the man is woman;
Though she bends him, she obeys him,
Though she draws him, yet she follows,
Useless each without the other!

H. W. Longfellow

Comments

[gorynuch]

May I venture a parallel with Newton's third law of motion? =)

As well as from King Lear

"Nothing comes of nothing."

Ucheniy ti vsetaki gorynuch

[hertz9]

Although Newton's third law of motion plays a vital part in understanding the poem, in my opinion it is not what the poem is about.

To me the poem does a good job at discribing the idea of a partnership between a man and a woman.

Re: Ucheniy ti vsetaki gorynuch

[gorynuch]

Dude, are you as confused as I am about the anonymous comment? Zhenschina horosho, romantika tozhe horosho, myzhchina inogda horosho... chto chykcha delaet kogda domoi v chym prihodit - lyzhi snimaet!

Anyway, yeah, relationship between a man and a woman is what I jokingly meant with the Newton's third law comment. Two forces interacting. So did you mean that it's interesting how men and women sway each other in unexpected ways?

Re: Ucheniy ti vsetaki gorynuch

[mhmeln_57]

no, what he meant is that a man and a woman pull each other in different directions but cannot exist without each other. the woman, although bends him, yet obeys him. In that, the woman and the man are equal in influencing each other, exercising pressure and power and both contribute to the interplay.

likewise, she draws him and she follows him - again the balance of both partners contributing to the relationship.

Sasha found the perfect words to describe an ideal (arguably) relationship - the woman, although powerful and independent, is still working in a team under the man's leadership.

as for the Anynymous - my bet is that it's Katya A.

Re: Ucheniy ti vsetaki gorynuch

[mrskrlj]

this whole thread completely kills a beautifully succinct poem.