讀書筆記 the engagement ( fourteen stories)

I read the novel “ engagement “, written by Pearl. S. Buck    

The novel tells a story about two young people, urged by their families, are about to get engaged, but they are not prepared enough and have doubts. After some twists and turns, they finally come together.    

     1）Lew Arnold and Isabel Starr, their families are friends. Although they are not neighbors, they are not far away. When they are children, often play together during the holidays. their kissing was just for fun, not love . When grew up, graduating from college, Lew loved Isabel and often stayed together. Lew and Isabel are only child. Their parents are eager for them to get married and have children. At the suggestion of parents，Lew proposed to Isabel and Isabel agreed. They decided to get engaged on June 21.

 After the news came out, Blessed by many others. Miss Barclay of Wedding dress shop called Isabel to congratulate and would like to make wedding clothes for her. On the day of fitting, Miss Barclay expressed her admiration and praise for Isabel's marriage. Her own love failed.  At this time, Lew also came and saw Isabel who was trying on the wedding dress. Isabel and Lew asked each other if they loved each other, and they both showed their love for each other. They kiss each other. Lew realized that he was really getting married.      2) Other people's praise for in their marriage satisfied Isabel. But she felt that the engagement was too hasty. She was not sure whether Lew was suitable or not. She felt that it was wrong for her to rush to agree to the engagement. There should be a time to think.

And at the same time, Lew felt that he had made a mistake. He got engaged because his parents liked Isabel. He suddenly felt that he didn't want to kiss her again.

 One noon, Lew met his uncle, Philip, who broke up with a Spanish woman on the day of engagement and never got married again. He regretted it now. Lew told his uncle what he was feeling now, and his uncle advised him to continue. Tell him that he will be a little uncomfortable now, but will get used to it after a while after marriage. But if really don't want to marriage, should make a decision early.                         In the afternoon, Lew went to the law firm where his father worked to discuss a case. One man accused another man of destroying his relationship with his wife.  But his wife said that she did not love her husband. She married him at the pressure of her parents. Lew’s father believes that there is no such thing forcing their children in marriage now. At this time, Lew wants to tell his father that Isabel is so beautiful that she may go with others in the future. But he was afraid that his parents were unhappy and didn't dare to say it.            

      The wedding dress was delivered to Isabel’s home, and Lew’s grandmother sent Isabel a silver tea set. Isabel's mother was very happy and said to Isabel: it is very important for a woman to marry the right man. But Isabel think Lew is wrong man. but she dared not tell her mother.

3) Everything is ready for the engagement. One day, Isabel made an appointment with Lew. When they met, they were very constrained. They went out for a drive together. In the car, Lew tells Isabel that he doesn't want to be engaged. Although she is very beautiful and he has always loved her, he has changed since he saw Isabel try on the wedding dress . he apologize. Isabel asked Lew to drive her home. There was no conversation on the way. When they got home, Lew was worried about Isabel and refused to open the door to let her off.  At this time, Isabel said that she also had this idea, although she had always liked him.  They agreed that in order not to make their parents angry, the engagement would continue. After the engagement, they can marry with other.  After getting off the bus, they entered Isabel's house together. At this time, Lew told Isabel that he wanted nobody but her. Isabel told Lew that she would not marry anyone except him. They are friendly again.

4）l think:

A) Parents can introduce their children to marry with someone, but they can't make them feel stressed. I also had a girl like Isabel when I was about ten years old. When I was 22, my mother asked me to visit her mother. When I saw her mother, I saw her at the same time. I think now, this is my mother's intentional arrangement. But I just graduated from university and have no idea of love and marriage, I only just happy to meet her again. My mother didn't blame me. She is a movie star later!

B) A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE IS NOT IN BEAUTY AND MONEY, BUT IN LOVE and Congenial . My wife and I come from different work unit, we don’t know each other before ( I think I don’t like having a wife in same work unit) . We work for a task together eight months, I don’t think about love with her. Just at the last day of we work together, it means maybe we can not meet again, suddenly I think I should say something to her, I ask her to play with me tomorrow, she agreed. Then we play in the park every weekend, after more than half year, she told her family and I told my family, my work unit gave me a little house, we married.  No engagement, no wedding dress, no gift, no congratulations. She never ask me if I love her and I don’t ask her either. I know she like me and she knew I love her, that’s enough.