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Response to "Splendor in the Grass"

First Love: Splendor in the Grass

Ali

 

Though nothing can bring back the hour

Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower,

We will grieve not, rather find

Strength in what remains behind.

                          William Wordsworth

 

            Love is an eternal mystery.  We never know when it comes and we never know when it will leave, either.  There』s nothing we can do when the feeling of love has gone; people can only keep recalling those sweet memories and happy moments.  Although the memories bring us nothing but pain, we must go on with our lives.

Splendor in the Grass is an impressive movie for it reminds people of their first love.  I think first love is the most impressive and the most unforgettable.  One day, even when we are very old sitting in the rocking chair telling stories to our grandchildren, we will still keep in mind the faces or the names or the memories in our first relationship.  In the movie, Deanie had mental problems after her first love, Bud, left her, and she stayed in the mental hospital for 2 years.  However, when she went back to her hometown from the hospital, the first thing she did was to visit Bud.  Bud was still very important to her, but the purpose that she called on him was to see if he was leading a good life rather than trying to get him back.  Deanie was at peace with herself then, and just wanted to know how Bud was, and she knew that there was nothing she could do for their past love, and all she could do was to go on with her life, not grieving but finding the strength in what remains behind.  And that was when Deanie realized and understood the meaning of the lines from 「 Splendor in the Grass,」 a poem she once learned in high school.

I myself have just had this kind of experience as well.    Peter was my first boyfriend and I grew increasingly fond of him when we were together.  Unfortunately, one day, he told me that he didn』t have the feeling of love any more; he just wanted to be my good friend.  I was totally shocked, and I didn』t even know what to do, nor could I cry.  He was determined to break up, and I knew I could not get him back any more.   I was not stricken down but I felt terribly heartbroken.  I could not stop recalling all those sweet memories we had.  Finally, day by day, I recovered from it, and I realized that the world wouldn』t stop just because of this kind of heartbroken experiences.  I have to go on with my life and I have to be independent and be strong, brave and tough to face all the hardships and difficulties.  In the future, everything will be as delightful and bright as before. 

Once love goes away, it』s a new beginning for another relationship.  We need not look back; instead, we need to look forward and be brave to face new challenges.  We will find that there are still lots of new things waiting for us to experience.  As long as we have learned something from a relationship, it is worthwhile.  And I know that one day, I can be as brave and strong as Deanie, and I might go back to visit Peter and recall our past relationship in a peaceful mood, and regard our relationship as simply a sweet memory.  Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower; we will grieve not, rather, find strength in what remains behind.

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