The berry patch
The berry patchThe Berry Patch
Ever since the beginning of time, the world has focused on advancement and improved standard of living. This means building houses and factories and continually being busy to support yourself. However, we never realize that we could survive just as well, if not better, if we used nature as it was intended. The story "The Berry Patch" by Wallace Stegner illustrates this point. This busy couple takes the time to drive to the Berry Patch and enjoy the wonders of it. They reflect on their society through a conversation which makes the reader understand that nature provide a better way of life.
One example of how nature is preferred is the conversation about Donald Swain's place. Donald Swain is the owner of a farm who had to go to the hospital because of stomach problems. Alma describes this by saying, "With Henry and Geouge in the navy, Allen can't run it alone. Donald's had him put it up for sale." (Stegner, 16). This shows how a lot of help is needed to run a farm, but a person can survive in nature by themselves. Alma is faced with this problem because there is not a lot of people willing to help her, but her husband will soon be leaving her. Living in as nature intended us to avoid the many problems that come with farming.
Another reason that living in nature is more desirable is because of its stability and dependability. Stegner describes a house that was ruined in the hurricane of 1938 and was now overgrown with fireweed and roots. On the other hand, when talking about the Berry Patch. Perley states, "Nobody ever plowed it, or planted it, or cultivated it, or fertilized it, or limed it, but there it is… Burn it over, its up again before anything else. Blow everything down, that's just what it likes." (Stegner, 21). The Berry Patch can take any natural disaster and still support its residents. However, houses are not as trustworthy and can be destroyed at any time.
The couple, Perley and Alma, have a completely different out look on life when they are in the Berry Patch "Makes you think the world's all right." (Stegner, 21) This statement by Perley proves that there are contrasting opinions in the two areas. When they are in the...
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