In one of the articles we read, called "Landscape of the Sacred", I read a quote by the famous conservationist and nature writer Aldo Leopold that made me think of how freedom can be concrete and abstract at the same time. He said, "Of what avail are forty freedoms without a blank spot on the map?" (Belden 219). It seems like he's referencing the freedoms provided to us by our government. So what good are they if you don't have any space to use them? This made me think of how I associate open spaces with freedom, the freedom of the open range, to explore and see new things. Having certain freedoms is great, but having room to just sit and think, away from city life is really crucial. You may be free in terms of personal freedoms, but still not feel free because you're confined in a society's way of doing things.
Reading about landscape made me think of the tv show Green Acres. It's one of those TV Land shows that's always on during the summer, just like The Brady Bunch. The husband is a farmer who really loves the outdoors. He's free when he's outside taking care of his livestock and crops. His wife is a city woman who loves to be free to shop, socialize, and enjoy the glamorous life. They are both free, but in different ways. Eventually she had to settle to living on the farm instead of Manhattan. Here are the lyrics for the theme song:
Green acres is the place to be
Farm living is the life for me
Land spreading out,
so far and wide
Keep Manhattan,
just give me that countryside.
New York
is where I'd rather stay
I get allergic smelling hay
I just adore a penthouse view
Darling, I love you,
but give me Park Avenue.
The chores
The stores
Fresh air
Times Square
You are my wife.
Goodbye city life.
source: http://www.maggiore.net/greenacres/gatheme.asp
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