Maggie's Change

I thought that "The Foundations of the Earth" was a beautiful story because it was so realistic.  It did not have a definite conclusion, nor did Maggie have a total revelation.  Instead, the story stuck with the confusion that we all face in ever day life.  However, although Maggie was not able to come to a conclusion on what to think of her grandson, she was able to pull away a new outlook on life.  Gabriel states "I think life is hard" (66).  This line stood out to me, and I think it is what stood out to Maggie.  She thinks through her own life, and her giving up her dream of becoming a teacher for a man who she described as a "pompous, self-satisfied, driven, blaspheming husband" (68).  This was Maggie's hardship, and she finds a place where she can relate to the difficulties of life; not separating the difficulties of being gay, black, or white, she realizes that everyone has struggles.  At the end, she accompanies the minister to confront Morton Henry for driving his tractor, but he gives a description of his own life and difficulties.  She, at this moment, realizes that standing in the field are different people leading different lives, yet all struggling in some way.  She says "Morton Henry. You do what you got to do. Just like the rest of us" (72).  At this moment she is no longer distinguishing between race or sexuality; she has decided on respect.  Although Maggie realizes that she has a long way to go, I think she is off to a great start: "Respect, she thought.  Oh how complicated" (72).