Margaret Thatcher died this week
at the age of 87. She was a controversial British leader who pursued her
political ambition and held strong convictions about what she had wanted and
could achieve for her country. She left behind a legacy called “Thatcherism”
and by reason of her formidable stand and the policies which
were implemented during her reign, her death was mourned by some and feted by
others. The baroness would go down in history as an icon. One of her famous
quotes is“ In politics, if you
want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.” And during the start of the Falklands
War in April 1982, she was quoted as saying, “ Defeat? I do not recognize the
meaning of the word.”. The one I love best is “ I am extraordinarily patient,
provided I get my own way in the end.” The iron lady’s sharp wit and strong
determination are qualities that we women can certainly emulate but perhaps not
her virility and her coiffure.Like what US President Obama said, “She stands as
an example to our daughters that there is no glass ceiling that can’t be
shattered.”
From the little that I know, the
only female British Prime Minister was patriotic and she had the interests of
the people at heart. Although I do not know much about politics but I know that
when politicians are vying to win at a poll, apart from fulfilling their own
ambitions, they must have visions and know what is best for the
country. Politicians must know if and when they are elected, what they want to do for the people and the
impacts of their rule may change lives and the order of things for generations to come.
Whenever someone passes on, mortality hits you right in your
face whether it is the death of a renowned political figure or a celebrity or
someone you know. Every mortal being who has lived till old age will leave
behind some kind of legacy even if you are just an ordinary man on the street. We all know about the
mortal sufferings of every human and we know we must face life and brutality of
death as it confronts you and makes you ponder.
In “Everyman”, Philip Roth wrote how the protagonist whispered back to an elderly woman’s husband at the
funeral. The short plump elderly woman wept uncontrollably and her husband 'turned unbidden and impatiently asked, “You know why she’s carrying on like
that?” “ I believe I do,” the protagonist whispered back, meaning by this, It
‘s because it is for her as it’s been for me ever since I was a boy. It ‘s
because it is for her as it is for everyone. It’s because life’s most disturbing
intensity is death. It’s because death is so unjust. It is because one has
tasted life, death does not seem natural. I had thought-secretly I was
certain-that life goes on and on.”
But the woman’s husband said flatly, as though having read his mind. “
She’s like that all the time. That has been the story for fifty years,” he
added with an unforgiving scowl. “ She’s like that because she isn’t eighteen
anymore.”'
Whether you are the dutiful son or daughter, whether
you are successful or unsuccessful parent, we all have our fears, regrets,
stoicism, panic and loneliness. And yet we want life to be continuing and as
Philip Roth wrote “And to have it all all over again."
The former British Prime Minister
suffered poor health in the past decade. So as what Philip Roth wrote in his novel “ Everyman” : “Old age isn’t a battle;
old age is a massacre.” May Baroness Thatcher rest in peace.
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