Harriet the Spy

“I’m going to take you somewhere. It’s time you began to see the world. You’re eleven years old and it’s time you saw something.”

Ole Golly just announced her intention to take Harriet to visit Mrs. Golly Senior. Ole Golly’s words carry hidden foreshadowing. Once the nanny leaves, Harriet is going to learn a good deal more about the world than she knew before.

“If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day.”

Ole Golly quotes Dostoevsky in this statement. It is an injunction for Harriet to learn how to feel as well as see. Love and empathy lead to understanding. At this stage of the story, Harriet merely observes and records facts.

“OLE GOLLY SAYS THERE IS AS MANY WAYS TO LIVE AS THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THE EARTH AND I SHOULDN’T GO ROUND WITH BLINDERS BUT SHOULD SEE EVERY WAY I CAN. THEN I’LL KNOW WHAT WAY I WANT TO LIVE AND NOT JUST LIVE LIKE MY FAMILY.”

The irony of this statement is that seeing doesn’t automatically lead to understanding. Harriet does have blinders on. She sees without compassion. Her conclusions about others are limited to her own narrow, judgmental perspective.