To Set Our House In Order By Margaret Lawrence

The lust for control dwells in every human being. We like to be comforted with the idea of authority because it gives us a sense of power and certainty towards the future. The text “To set Our House in Order” takes place in a fictional setting of Manawaka, Manitoba, during the time of the Great Depression. Through this text Margaret Laurence depicts the idea that one may face many difficulties in the fight for order upon situations that are beyond human control. Laurence assembles her characters with very different personality traits to show contrast and conflicting ideas. Vanessa the main protagonist of the story, along with Grandmother Macleod, possess a longing for “order” and certainty. As the plot progresses so does Vanessa’s way of thinking.

She learns what her grandmother has failed to accept for many years, that life always takes control.
It is part human nature to desire having control over our surroundings and the situations we face in our daily lives.

The human mind cannot bear the idea of uncertainty towards its future. It prefers life to be predictable and within our control as we fear of what our future holds. Through the character of Grandmother Macleod, Laurence shows the reader how the human mind reacts when it is presented with situations that are beyond its authority. Grandmother Macleod represents “order” in the story. As a young child she was told that “God loves Order”. Her actions and words reflect upon this advice. Even after many tragic events that take place in her life such as the death of her husband and son, she fails to notice that life has no order in fact it is very unpredictable. “For mercy’s sake, Vanessa, what have you been doing with yourself? Run get washed right this minute. Here not that way-you use the back stairs…” (Page 143) Grandmother Macleod wants order not only for herself but her surroundings as well. She imposes her beliefs and ideals upon others, expects them to follow and obey her rule. This aspect of her personality leads Vanessa and other members of her family such as Aunt Edna having a negative attitude towards her (add a specific example from the text). Laurence depicts grandmother as controlling, so the characters such as Vanessa can learn the truth about life that in the battle over control life is always the

winner.

Throughout the course of this story the characters grow and learn more about their surroundings. Vanessa is a very dynamic character; she goes through many changes throughout the story that help her understand the people around her. She develops within herself as well. At the beginning she is a very narrow minded young girl who forms judgements off what she views, as she learns more about her ancestry her perspective on her family members takes a drastic change. learning that the reason behind her grandmother’s strict and blunt behavior is that she had lost her son and husband who were her main source of income and provided her with a lavish lifestyle allows Vanessa to understand her Grandmother’s rough side. Vanessa’s character is the complete opposite of Grandmother Macleod due to this there is tension between the two characters. They are similar in a way that they both want “order” in life. “..I said bleakly, wondering why I was not enough for her.”(Page 144). Vanessa does not want a younger sibling, yet she is gifted with a baby brother this shows no matter how much she tried at the end of it all life took charge.
Human control has limits and the things that are beyond human control are in control of life itself. No matter how much we try we cannot be certain of what our future holds. We might struggle to enable our power over situations to some extent but the outcomes beyond our control. Our wants are not considered by life when it comes to the situations and the dilemmas we are presented with. We can only practice the art of control to a measure.