Eleanor Roosevelt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Eleanor Roosevelt - Essay Example Eleanor Roosevelt had contrasting kinds of relationship with her father and mother that shaped her independent and caring identity. Elliott Roosevelt had quite successful brothers, with whom he had differences with. Elliott, instead of establishing himself in any particular profession (Wills 80), became more of a drunkard though, and because of this, his older brothers eventually banished the former to Virginia because they thought being apart from his family would change him (Youngs 46). Despite his physical separation from his family, Elliott loved his daughter, Eleanor, so much that he sent her letters, and Eleanor loved him dearly in return (Youngs 45). Before he left for Virginia, he even painted a picture for her (Youngs 45). Elliott’s relationship with his daughter developed Eleanor’s strong sense of independence and compassion. For instance, in terms of independence, Elliott wanted his daughter to â€Å"love the outdoors as he did† (Youngs 48). The outdoo rs symbolizes freedom and independence. Furthermore, Elliott wanted his daughter to be as gentle as he was. ... relationship with her mother had been strained, but their relationship, however different from her father’s, helped her to focus more on inward development than physical looks. Anna did not seem to like that Eleanor was her opposite in terms of looks and interests, and she even told her once: â€Å"You're so plain that you have really nothing to do except be good† (Wills 80). Anna’s stern treatment and criticism of her daughter might be one of the reasons that Eleanor shied away from the public limelight, even when married already to FDR. Nevertheless, Eleanor Roosevelt’s introvert nature might also have helped her develop herself more intellectually and socially, but in a more social-interest-oriented way. Eleanor Roosevelt bloomed as a student, where her school life and experiences improved her self-esteem and enhanced her independent personality. Eleanor studied at Allenwood, an exclusive-for-girls school near London. Marie Souvestre was the headmistres s of Allenswood Academy, and she motivated Eleanor to become more active in school and civic duties. Youngs depicts Eleanor in her intellectual growth as she realized, that, in school, â€Å"she did not have to strain to win attention; she simply had to be herself† because in an academic environment, people were similar to her in interests and aspirations because they were â€Å"more interested in ideas than social conventions† (65). Souvestre helped Eleanor find her mission in life- to be of service to others. Eleanor excelled in school and participated in community activities. When Eleanor went back to New York in 1902, she volunteered at the Rivington Street Settlement House on the Lower East Side, where she served as one of the teachers of the immigrant poor’s children (Wills 81). Hence, her education